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It's Time To Let Shawna Robinson Drive

By M.J.Hall

August 30, 2002

As someone who had never submitted anything for public consumption until my article on Shawna Robinson and BAM Racing, I must say I was overwhelmed by the feedback I received.

While I did read every email, I am sorry to say that I was unable to respond to each and every one, but I did answer as many as humanly possible. Thank you to all who wrote.

I am happy to report that the responses, with very few exceptions, were extremely positive.

It seems that many people have been asking the same questions I tried to raise. (If you missed the article, you may read it here: Shawna Robinson Not Getting A Fair Shake!

For the few who question whether Ms. Robinson has paid her dues, here is just some of her history, taken from her website:

  • In her first two years in NASCAR, she started all 30 races in the Dash Series. She scored three victories and finished in the top ten, 21 times.

  • Named Rookie of the Year in the Dash Series in 1988.

  • Named Most Popular Driver of the Year in the Dash Series in 1988 and 1989.

  • First female to win a NASCAR pole position (1989 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series).

  • Finished runner-up in the Busch Series "Rookie of the Year" standings driving a limited schedule in 1992.

  • Competed in her first full year of the NASCAR Busch Series in 1993 finishing 23rd in the overall point standings.

  • Became the first female to win a NASCAR Busch Series Bud Pole Award at Atlanta in 1994, with a track record of 174.330 mph.

  • Finished her NASCAR Busch Series career best of 10th in 1995.

  • After brief retirement to start a family, returned in 1999, finishing 2nd in the Daytona ARCA opener.

  • First female to complete a full season in any national oval-track motor sports series (2000 ARCA Series).

  • Won the pole for the June 10, 2000 Michigan ARCA Series race. Also broke the track record with a speed of 184.606 mph.

  • Finished sixth in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship point standings in 2000.

  • In 2001, became the first female since 1989 to qualify for a NASCAR Winston Cup event.

  • In 2001, became the first female to finish a NASCAR Winston Cup event since Janet Guthrie in 1980.

    There's more, but due to space constraints, it cannot all be listed here.

    For those who think that there are others who are more deserving of a ride, that same argument could be made for many drivers, in all divisions. There are teenagers and 20-somethings aplenty racing in top-notch, well-funded, quality rides in every level of auto racing today. Are they all "deserving"? Who is to say?

    Should any of them be displaced simply because some of them are young, inexperienced and maybe have not "paid their dues"?

    No.

    They are gaining valuable experience through practice, testing and RACING, day after day, week after week. Getting what every driver needs, no matter who they are, no matter their division: Seat time in their car with a race team that is behind them 100%.

    I'm not suggesting Ms. Robinson should unseat someone who is more, or even less "deserving" than she. Ms. Robinson already has a ride, allegedly. I am merely suggesting she be allowed to drive the No. 49 car.

    I'm not a reporter. I am not a women's rights activist. I am just an ordinary race fan, who still wants to know: What the heck is going on at BAM Racing?



    You can send feedback to M.J. Hall at: Insider Racing News



    The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel like it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.

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