Gracie Trotter

Gracie Trotter became the first female driver in ARCA’s 67-year history to win a sanctioned race, and she did it with the kind of driving that leaves male competitors scrambling to keep up.

EARLY YEARS

Born August 27, 2001, in Denver, North Carolina, Gracie Elizabeth Trotter is a third-generation racer who practically had motor oil in her veins from birth. Racing wasn’t something she stumbled into—it was the family business, and she was all in from the moment she could reach the pedals.

At eight years old, Trotter started competing in go-karts at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina. While most kids her age were still figuring out training wheels, she was already learning how to navigate tight turns at speed and hold her own against boys who probably weren’t thrilled about getting passed by a girl. But that’s exactly what happened, repeatedly, because Trotter had no interest in being just another participant—she was there to win.

Growing up at short tracks around North Carolina, particularly Hickory Motor Speedway, Trotter absorbed everything she could about racing. She watched, she learned, and she developed the kind of racing instinct that can’t be taught in a classroom. By the time she was a teenager, she wasn’t just a driver with potential—she was a driver who knew how to race smart and wasn’t afraid to race hard.

OTHER INTERESTS

The available research doesn’t reveal much about what Trotter does when she’s not behind the wheel, which honestly tracks for someone whose entire life has been consumed by racing since childhood. When you’re part of a racing family and you’re chasing history in a sport that doesn’t always welcome women with open arms, there isn’t a lot of time for hobbies outside the garage.

EARLY SUCCESS

In 2016, Trotter joined the Toyota Racing Development program, a major stepping stone that signaled she was being taken seriously as a prospect. By 2017, at just 16 years old, she made her late model debut driving for crew chief Bond Suss, who would become a longtime mentor throughout her stock car career. That same year, she made history by becoming one of the youngest female drivers to compete in the CARS Tour.

At 17, Trotter was in contention for her first title at the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout, racing Legends cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway. She wasn’t there to make friends or collect participation trophies—she was there to prove she belonged, and the results spoke for themselves. Through multiple wins in the VP Racing Fuels Semi-Pro division, she established herself as a legitimate threat every time she rolled onto the track.

In 2018, Trotter was selected—alongside Brooke Storer—as one of only two female drivers to join NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program with Rev Racing for the 2019 season. Out of six drivers chosen, being one of two women in the program was both an honor and a challenge. The message was clear: she had the talent, but she’d have to prove it again and again.

By 2019, at just 18 years old, the Denver, North Carolina native began her late model season driving the No. 2 FiveStar Race Car Bodies/Mobil 1 Toyota with Rev Racing. Her aggressive, calculated driving style was drawing attention, and not always the friendly kind. Some competitors found her racing “too aggressive,” which in racing terms usually means “she’s beating us and we don’t like it.” Trotter addressed it head-on: “I had it said to my face before. I will be aggressive when I have to, but I always tried to race as clean as I can.”

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: Made history as one of the youngest female drivers to compete in the CARS Tour and made her late model stock car debut[1].
• 2020: Became the first female driver to win an ARCA-sanctioned race in the series’ 67-year history, capturing the checkered flag at the General Tire 150 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring on September 26, 2020[2].
• 2020: Led a series-record 95 of 150 laps during her historic Las Vegas win, dominating the race for Bill McAnally Racing in the ARCA Menards Series West[3].
• 2020: Fended off teammate Gio Scelzi on a late-race restart with 10 laps to go and drove away to win by .821 seconds, cementing her place in motorsports history[4].
• 2020: Finished third in the ARCA West point standings with three races remaining in the season[5].
• 2020: Awarded the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award on December 3, recognizing her groundbreaking achievement as a female driver[6].
• 2021: Signed with Venturini Motorsports for a 10-race ARCA Menards Series schedule, piloting both the No. 15 and iconic No. 25 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry[7].

INSPIRATIONS

Trotter’s biggest influences have been the people closest to her racing journey—her father and her longtime late model crew chief, Bond Suss. Both have been with her through every stage of her stock car racing career, from those early go-kart days to her history-making ARCA win. Having them both in Victory Lane after her Las Vegas triumph wasn’t just a moment of celebration—it was validation of years of work, sacrifice, and belief in a driver who refused to be limited by anyone’s expectations.

As a third-generation racer, the family legacy also plays a significant role. Racing isn’t just what Trotter does—it’s who she is. Growing up around Hickory Motor Speedway, a prestigious North Carolina short track, she was surrounded by a racing community that shaped her understanding of the sport. She didn’t just want to participate in that tradition—she wanted to add her own chapter to it.

REPUTATION

Trotter has earned a reputation as a driver who races hard but fair, even if not everyone agrees with that assessment. Her willingness to be aggressive when necessary has ruffled feathers, particularly among male competitors who aren’t used to being outdriven by a woman. But that’s exactly what makes her dangerous on the track—she’s not there to be polite, she’s there to win.

Her historic ARCA West win at Las Vegas wasn’t a fluke or a lucky break—it was a masterclass in racecraft. Leading 95 of 150 laps and nailing all but one restart demonstrated not just speed, but consistency, strategy, and the kind of mental toughness required to hold off a field of hungry competitors. When Gio Scelzi came charging on that late restart with 10 laps to go, Trotter didn’t panic—she shut the door and drove away.

Her clean driving style, despite being labeled aggressive by some, reflects a racer who understands that respect on the track is earned through skill, not through backing down. She’s proven she can race wheel-to-wheel without wrecking people, which is more than can be said for plenty of drivers with bigger egos and fewer results.

Trotter’s selection for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program and her backing from Toyota Racing Development signal that the industry sees her as more than just a “female driver”—she’s a legitimate talent worth investing in. Her partnership with top-tier teams like Bill McAnally Racing and Venturini Motorsports further cements that status.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

While specific plans for 2025 and beyond aren’t detailed in the available research, Trotter has made it clear that her ultimate goal is to drive her way to the top of NASCAR. Her trajectory—from go-karts to Legends cars to late models to ARCA—shows a driver methodically building the skills and experience needed to compete at the highest level.

The move to Venturini Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in ARCA history, positioned her to compete for wins and learn from one of the best organizations in the sport. With continued support from Toyota and sponsors like Mobil 1, she has the resources and the talent to make the leap to higher NASCAR series when the opportunity arises.

More recently, her schedule includes racing at Hickory Motor Speedway, the track where she grew up and where winning carries special significance. Whether she continues climbing the NASCAR ladder or establishes herself as a dominant force in regional series, one thing is certain—Trotter isn’t done making history.

REFERENCES

Gracie Trotter – Wikipedia
Brooke Storer, Gracie Trotter earn spots in NASCAR’s 2019 Drive for Diversity class – ESPN
Gracie Trotter’s Road to Racing Stardom at an All-Time High – Motorsports Tribune
Trotter becomes first female ARCA winner – Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Trotter’s Las Vegas win makes ARCA racing history – RACER
Gracie Trotter Signs With Venturini Motorsports For Partial 2021 ARCA Menards Series Season – Kickin’ the Tires
Gracie Trotter Moving to Venturini Motorsports for Limited ARCA Menards Series Schedule – Toby Christie
Gracie Trotter: The Future Is Bright for Bill McAnally Racing’s History-Making Driver – ENEOS
Gracie Trotter Tackles the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout – Charlotte Motor Speedway
Driver Spotlight: Gracie Trotter – Rev Racing
HOME | Gracie Trotter | NASCAR Driver
Gracie Trotter Becomes First Female Winner of an ARCA Sanctioned Event – The Shop Magazine