
Bailey Campbell
Off Road racing // American
n/a
Bailey Campbell stands as a pioneering force in off-road racing, making history as the first woman to finish in the top five at the legendary King of the Hammers event and establishing herself as a formidable competitor in the male-dominated world of motorsports.
EARLY YEARS
Born into off-road racing royalty as the daughter of Shannon Campbell, a legendary racer and multiple-time King of the Hammers champion, Bailey was immersed in motorsports culture from birth. Her childhood was defined by life in the family shop, where she didn’t just learn to drive but also developed rare technical skills—fabricating, wrenching, and fine-tuning competition vehicles alongside her father and brother Wayland. This hands-on mechanical education provided a unique foundation that separated her from many competitors. Her racing journey began formally at 15 with rock crawling competitions, though her first significant racing experience came in 2013 at a Dirt Riot race in Moab, driving her brother’s car where, despite crashing, she displayed the resilience that would become her trademark.
EARLY SUCCESS
At just 16, Bailey transitioned to faster vehicles, signaling the acceleration of her professional career trajectory. By 2014, she was already making waves in the Dirt Riot Series, securing her first podium finish with her father as co-driver. This early success demonstrated her natural talent behind the wheel and showcased the valuable mentorship she received growing up in a racing family. Her third-place finish in her debut at the W.E. Rock Crawling Series further established her credentials in technical off-road competition. While other teenage drivers were just getting their licenses, Bailey was already competing professionally and building a reputation for exceptional skill in navigating extreme terrain—a foundation that perfectly prepared her for the ultra-challenging Ultra4 racing circuit where she would soon make history.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2014: Secured fifth place in the Dirt Riot Series season standings and earned her first podium finish[3].
- 2015: Became the youngest and first female competitor in the prestigious King of the Hammers race[3].
- 2016: Made history as the first female driver to finish in the Top 5 at King of the Hammers at just 19 years old[1][3][5].
- 2016: Became the first woman in the elite 4400 class of Ultra4 racing to lead during the King of the Hammers event[1].
REPUTATION
Known affectionately as the darling of Campbell Racing, Bailey has earned respect throughout the motorsports community not just for breaking gender barriers but for her exceptional technical driving abilities. Her approach combines the precision required for rock crawling with the speed and endurance needed for Ultra4 racing—a versatility that distinguishes her from competitors with more narrowly focused skill sets. What truly sets her apart is her comprehensive understanding of vehicle mechanics and fabrication, allowing her to communicate effectively with her team and make critical driving adjustments based on technical knowledge rather than just feel. Working six days a week at Campbell Enterprises has honed these skills, creating a racer who understands her vehicle from the ground up. Bailey’s reputation extends beyond competition results to her role as a trailblazer who has opened doors for women in extreme off-road racing, demonstrating that talent and determination transcend gender in one of motorsport’s most physically demanding disciplines.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
In 2025, Bailey joined the prestigious RTR Vehicles Off-Road Team, putting her behind the wheel of a championship-winning 4600-class Ford Bronco—a vehicle previously piloted by racing luminaries Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy. Her racing calendar includes competing in the iconic Mint 400, where she has already demonstrated competitive pace with a second-place finish in the Stock Class. Looking ahead to 2026, she aims to tackle King of the Hammers with her own 4600-class Bronco, building on her historic achievements at this event. This partnership with RTR Vehicles and supporters including Ford Performance, Shell V-Power, and OPTIMA Batteries positions her to continue breaking barriers in off-road racing while serving as an inspiration for the next generation of female racers entering the sport.
References:
Campbell Racing Team Biography
RTR Vehicles Team Announcement
Ultra4 Racing Hall of Fame Profile
Offroad Motorsports History Archive
King of the Hammers: Historic Moments
(bio created: 2025-05-21)
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