Alli Owens

Alli Owens is the Daytona Beach native and single mom of three who’s been proving since childhood that speed and grit aren’t just for the boys—from BMX bikes to stock cars, she’s carved her own path through American motorsports with zero apologies.

EARLY YEARS

Born Alexandra “Alli” Owens on September 2, 1988, in South Daytona, Florida, she didn’t wait around for permission to race. At eight years old, she jumped on a BMX bike—purchased by her parents with earnings from their commercial dry cleaning business—and started competing. She excelled immediately, eventually training with Olympic aspirations in mind. But two wheels weren’t enough. Around the same time, she also started racing Quarter Midget cars, and by the time she was a teenager, the path was clear: four wheels, high speeds, and a future in stock car racing.

Her parents supported the dream even when it meant parking a race car hauler in the front yard—a neighborhood landmark that announced exactly who lived there. She graduated with honors from Atlantic High School in 2006, balancing academics with an already serious racing career. By then, Owens had completed the FinishLine Racing Academy in 2004 and was ready to make noise on the track.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not strapped into a race car, Owens knows how to unwind—and it’s not exactly dainty. She’s into four-wheeling and mudding, line dancing, and listening to a mix of country and hip-hop. She’s admitted to a serious love for homemade tacos, chicken caesar salad, and shopping for shoes. But her real passion off the track? Giving back. Owens is a Girl Scout enthusiast who invites young girls to racing events and participates in programs like the National Girls and Women In Sports Day. She’s also served as a motivational speaker at public schools and rehab centers for the National Crime Prevention, using her platform to inspire kids who might not see themselves reflected in traditional racing culture.

She runs the Raising Hearts Building Futures Foundation (RHBFF), a nonprofit focused on community empowerment and supporting the next generation—especially young women who need role models who look like them and understand what it’s like to fight for a seat at the table.

EARLY SUCCESS

Owens wasted no time making her mark on the local racing scene. In 2004, she earned Mini Stock Rookie of the Year at New Smyrna Speedway, and the following year, she grabbed Late Model Rookie of the Year at the same track. By her early twenties, she was signed with D’Hondt Motorsports, driving the No. 19 Toyota under the ElectrifyingCareers.com banner—a unique sponsorship from the NECA-IBEW teams, which backed her as part of an “out of the box” strategy to attract new apprentices, particularly young women, into the electrical trades.

In December 2009, during an ARCA test session at Daytona International Speedway, Owens turned heads by posting the fastest time of any female driver—49.192 seconds at 182.957 mph—and placing third quickest overall in the draft. She was the only woman consistently in the top three during that session, proving she belonged on the high banks with the big boys. It was a statement performance that had people whispering her name instead of just Danica’s.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2004: Mini Stock Rookie of the Year, New Smyrna Speedway[1].
• 2004: Graduate of FinishLine Racing Academy[2].
• 2005: Late Model Rookie of the Year, New Smyrna Speedway[3].
• 2009: Fastest female driver and third quickest overall at ARCA test session, Daytona International Speedway[4].
• 2010: Competed in ARCA Racing Series[5].
• 2011: Attempted NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona[6].
• 2016: Competed part-time in NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro for Obaika Racing[7].

INSPIRATIONS

Owens doesn’t do hero worship lightly—she’s drawn to the grinders, the ones who show up and do the work without the flash. Mark Martin tops her list. “That guy is a machine,” she’s said, admiring his relentless work ethic and longevity. She also respects Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, not just for their championships but for how they handle themselves off the track—professional, thoughtful, and steady. For Owens, the real role models are the “hard core racers,” the ones who earn respect through consistency and grit, not just headlines.

REPUTATION

Owens has earned a reputation as a driver who doesn’t quit, even when the odds—and the funding—aren’t in her favor. After attempting the Daytona Truck race in 2011, she became pregnant with her first child and had to step away from racing. She got married, had two more kids, and eventually found herself navigating life as a single mom of three. For years, it looked like her racing career might be over. But fans kept showing up, kept believing, and Owens credits them with reigniting her drive to return to the track.

She’s known as someone who juggles the parent pickup line with high-speed race tracks, trading car seats for carbon fiber without missing a beat. Her story resonates with working-class fans—blue-collar America sees themselves in her hustle. She’s not the driver with the massive corporate backing or the famous last name. She’s the one working every angle, leveraging community support, and showing up anyway. That authenticity has made her a quiet favorite among those who appreciate racers who’ve actually had to fight for everything.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Owens is officially back. In 2025, she announced her return to racing with plans to participate in an open practice session at Daytona International Speedway. For 2026, she’s set to compete part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 68 car for Kimmel Racing. Her comeback is aligned with her nonprofit, Raising Hearts Building Futures Foundation, which she runs with a mission to champion blue-collar communities and empower the next generation of women in motorsports and beyond. The message is clear: she’s not just racing for herself—she’s racing to prove that moms, women, and anyone who’s been counted out can still compete at the highest levels. And she’s bringing the next generation along for the ride.

REFERENCES

[1] Alli Owens – Wikipedia
[2] Alexandra “Alli” Owens – Driver Biography PDF
[3] Alexandra “Alli” Owens – Driver Biography PDF
[4] Alli Owens, Not Danica Patrick, Is the Fastest Female at Daytona ARCA Test
[5] Alli Owens – Wikipedia
[6] Alli Owens – Wikipedia
[7] Alli Owens – Wikipedia
Single-Mom Alli Owens Charges into ARCA to Champion Blue Collar America
Alli Owens – Single Mom, Race Car Driver
Alli Owens – Race Car Star & Girl Scout Enthusiast
Allie Owens – WomenInRacing.org
Forget Danica; Move Over, Kyle Busch; Make Way for ARCA’s Alli Owens
NASCAR Exclusive Interview with Alli Owens: Raising Money to Live Daytona Dream
Electrical Education | NECA IBEW Sponsorship | Alli Owens Racing
2026 ARCA Menards Series – Wikipedia