LAIA SANZ Wins Third Extreme E Victory at Desert X Prix
February 18, 2024
Grey Leadbetter
Karting racing //
Fear is just a reminder that you’re pushing your limits—embrace it, and you’ll find your strength.
Every race is a chance to prove that hard work and heart can outdrive any obstacle.
I might be the only girl out here, but I’m too busy chasing the checkered flag to care.
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nickname:
Leadfoot
Birthday:
October 21, 2004 (21)
Birthplace:
racing type:
Karting racing
racing status:
Pro
height:
165
residence:
inspiration(s):
Travis Pastrana, Sara Price
guilty pLEASURES:
FOLLOWING:
Travis Pastrana, Hailie Deegan, Ken Block, Connor Fields, Ashley Fiolek
GRRL! Number:
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profile updated: June 12, 2025
Grey Leadbetter is a rising talent in motorsports who has broken barriers as one of the few female drivers competing successfully across multiple racing disciplines, from off-road to on-road racing competitions.
EARLY YEARS
Born in 2005 in Morganton, North Carolina, Grey grew up on her family’s 40-acre farm that doubled as a training ground. Her father Brian, a former amateur motocross racer, built dirt bike tracks where she began riding at just four years old. The Appalachian foothills provided the perfect playground for developing physical and mental grit required for racing, while weekends were dedicated to traveling to regional competitions.
EARLY SUCCESS
By age six, Grey was already competing in races, though her natural talent emerged much earlier. Family videos show her at three years old demanding training wheels be removed from her bike so she could “go faster.” At nine years old, she made history by becoming the first female to win in the 51cc SR class at the prestigious Loretta Lynn Amateur Motocross Championship. Her fearlessness allowed her to clear jumps that intimidated riders twice her age, earning attention from local motocross coaches.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2016: Won the Ignite Pro Series Junior Championship at age 13, securing multiple wins during the season[1].
- 2019: Finished third overall in the Lucas Oil School of Racing Championship, earning podium finishes at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Virginia International Raceway[2].
- 2021: Made history by becoming one of the youngest drivers to compete in the Nitro Rallycross series in the Side-by-Side class[3].
- 2021: Competed in the Formula Regional Americas Championship, achieving a fifth-place finish at Road Atlanta[4].
- 2022: Claimed the Carolina Pro Late Model Series championship, with victories at Hickory Motor Speedway and other venues[5].
- 2023: Made ARCA Menards Series debut at Toledo Speedway, finishing eighth in the Menards 200[6].
REPUTATION
Leadbetter has garnered attention for her aggressive yet controlled driving style, particularly in short-course off-road racing. Her adaptability across multiple racing platforms—from Pro Lite trucks to Side-by-Side competitions—demonstrates remarkable versatility. Beyond her racing achievements, she has become an ambassador for the sport, helping to inspire young drivers, particularly females, to pursue careers in motorsports. Her professional approach and dedication to improvement has earned respect from competitors and industry professionals alike.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Looking beyond 2024, Grey aspires to compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and explore opportunities in IndyCar, as part of her mission to prove versatility across disciplines. She plans to continue her advocacy work promoting gender inclusivity in motorsports through mentorship programs like “Girls on Track.” Her long-term trajectory emphasizes a strategic pivot toward endurance racing and sustainable motorsport innovations, including potential partnerships with electric vehicle manufacturers.
References:
Ignite Pro Series Records, 2016
Lucas Oil Racing TV, 2019
Nitro Rallycross Media Archives, 2021
Formula Regional Americas, 2021
Carolina Pro Late Model Series, 2022
ARCA Menards Series, 2023
RACER Magazine, October 2023
Motorsport.com Interview, September 2023
(bio created: )
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