Patty Moise

Patty Moise didn’t just race in NASCAR—she smashed speed records, earned pole positions, and became the first woman to lead a Busch Series event, all while carving out a reputation as one of the toughest competitors on the track.

EARLY YEARS

Born December 29, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida, Patricia Moise grew up with gasoline in her veins. Her father, Milton, was a veteran stock car driver and avid racing fan, so it was practically inevitable that Patty would end up behind the wheel herself. At just sixteen years old, she started racing road courses in the IMSA series, cutting her teeth in the IMSA Kelly Girl American Challenge driving an AMC Gremlin. Yes, a Gremlin. If you can make one of those look fast, you can drive anything.

Moise spent five years in the Kelly series, building a reputation that eventually opened the door to NASCAR oval-track racing. It wasn’t handed to her—she earned every lap, every starting position, every ounce of respect in a world that wasn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat for women.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Patty Moise’s interests outside of racing is limited in available records. What is clear is that racing consumed the best years of her life—her own words—and changed her forever. When you’re setting world speed records and competing in over 130 NASCAR races, hobbies tend to take a back seat.

EARLY SUCCESS

In 1986, Moise made her NASCAR Busch Series debut at Road Atlanta, and she didn’t waste time making an impression. She became the first woman to lead a Busch Series race—at Road Atlanta, in her very first attempt. Let that sink in. First race. First woman to lead. That’s not beginner’s luck; that’s talent.

The following year, she took things a step further and fielded her own team, the No. 37 Buick. In 1987, she earned the 21st starting position for the 200-lap Busch Grand National Championship Series at a race worth $167,100. By 1988, she had made history again, becoming the first woman to win a Busch qualifying race at Talladega. She earned pole positions at ARCA races—three in total, including two at Talladega and one at Daytona—though she never won the main event. Still, being on the pole meant she was the fastest qualifier, and that’s nothing to shrug off.

In 1988, she also claimed her second pole position at Alabama International Motor Speedway, qualifying at 191.279 mph. Moise was proving, again and again, that she had the speed and skill to compete at the highest levels.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1986: Made NASCAR Busch Series debut at Road Atlanta and became the first woman to lead a Busch Series race.
• 1987: Fielded her own team, the No. 37 Buick.
• 1988: Became the first woman to win a Busch qualifying race at Talladega.
• 1988: Earned pole position at Alabama International Motor Speedway, qualifying at 191.279 mph.
• 1989: Set a world speed record at Talladega, initially clocking 217.498 mph, though the record wasn’t initially documented properly.
• 1990: Returned to Talladega on January 23 with proper documentation and officially set a world speed record at 217.498 mph, shattering Lyn St. James’s previous record of 212.577 mph.
• 1987–1989: Competed in five Winston Cup races.
• 1986–1998: Raced in 133 Busch Series events over the course of her career.
• 1998: Drove the No. 14 Rhodes Furniture Ford full-time for Michael Waltrip Racing, making 19 starts with a best finish of tenth at Bristol Motor Speedway.

INSPIRATIONS

Patty Moise’s biggest inspiration was undoubtedly her father, Milton, whose passion for stock car racing set her on the path to her own career. Growing up around the sport, she absorbed not just the mechanics of racing but the culture, the grit, and the sheer determination required to succeed. Racing wasn’t just a hobby in the Moise household—it was a way of life.

REPUTATION

Moise built a reputation as a serious competitor who could wheel a stock car with the best of them. She wasn’t a novelty act or a publicity stunt—she was fast, consistent, and respected by her peers. For more than twelve years, she competed in what are now the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series, proving that women belonged on the track just as much as men.

Her marriage to fellow NASCAR driver Elton Sawyer in November 1991 made them one of racing’s most notable couples. They were engaged in August and married just months later, and the couple hoped to become the first husband and wife to compete in the same big league race. Sawyer went on to become NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competition, a testament to the caliber of people Moise surrounded herself with.

Moise’s speed records, pole positions, and trailblazing achievements earned her a place in history. She raced with teams like Doug Taylor’s Specialty Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing, and her best finish in the Busch Series was a 12th in the Zerex 150 during her 31 races for car owner Mike Laughlin.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

No information is available regarding Patty Moise’s future goals or plans for 2025 and beyond.

REFERENCES

Patty Moise – Wikipedia
Patty Moise – 5280nup
Lead-Foot Lady Loses Mark – Los Angeles Times
Patty Moise – Driver Database
Patty Moise – Everything Allowed Community
NASCAR Statistics: Patty Moise
Patty Moise Dating History
Patty Moise – Woman Driver – JRank
Patty Moise of Jacksonville – Los Angeles Times
Patty Moise Gallery – Trading Card Database
Patty Moise Stock Photos – Getty Images
Patty Moise – Speedqueens
Female Racers Honored – International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Elton Sawyer & Patty Moise – The Sports Rush
Patty Moise – 1989-1990 Talladega Speed Record – Trading Paints
Moise-Sawyer Romance on Track – Roanoke Times
Talladega 500 Notebook – UPI Archives
Female NASCAR Drivers That Changed Racing – Carsforsale.com
Xfinity Race Results at Bristol – 3/28/1998
Patty Moise Became the First Woman to Earn a Pole – UPI Archives
Michael Waltrip Racing – Stock Car Racing Wiki
Moise, Patty – Encyclopedia.com