Kelly Crandall turned a lifelong passion for NASCAR into one of the sport’s most respected journalism careers, earning two George Cunningham Writer of the Year awards and breaking ground as a woman in motorsports media.

EARLY YEARS

A 2008 graduate of Spotswood High School, Crandall grew up in Virginia with racing in her blood. She went on to study corporate communications at Central Penn College, graduating in 2011. But long before she had the credentials, she had the drive—literally. Her first car was a 1999 Mustang, and while she describes herself as naturally shy and introverted, those qualities never stopped her from chasing what she wanted. She just had to figure out how to work around them.

Early in her career, she found herself navigating a tricky balancing act: how do you build relationships in a loud, male-dominated sport when your instinct is to hang back? The answer, it turned out, was persistence and authenticity. Crandall didn’t try to be louder than everyone else—she just showed up, did the work, and let her writing speak for itself.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the racetrack, Crandall is a reader, a creator, and someone who values mentorship—both receiving it and giving it back. She’s cited veteran motorsports journalist Deb Williams, who writes for Racer and SpeedSport, as a key mentor who helped guide her through the early years of her career. Time management remains one of her biggest challenges, a relatable struggle for anyone juggling deadlines, travel, and the unpredictable rhythms of race weekends.

EARLY SUCCESS

Crandall’s career began in the digital trenches. She started writing for Bleacher Report, covering NASCAR as a “citizen journalist” before the term was trendy. Her work appeared in articles like “On The Road Again: Daytona International Speedway Bound” and “Creature Vs. Creature: NASCAR Picks,” where she honed her voice and learned to balance opinion with analysis. By 2013, she was on the NASCAR beat full-time, carving out a niche in a crowded field by being sharper, faster, and more consistent than most.

In 2017, she joined RACER as chief NASCAR writer, a role that solidified her as one of the sport’s most influential voices. Her work has also appeared on NASCAR.com, in the NASCAR Illustrated magazine, and across various motorsports platforms. She’s not just covering races—she’s shaping how fans understand the sport.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2011: Graduated from Central Penn College with a degree in corporate communications[1].
• 2013: Began covering NASCAR full-time[2].
• 2017: Joined RACER as chief NASCAR writer[3].
• Two-time recipient of the George Cunningham Writer of the Year award from the National Motorsports Press Association[4].
• Co-authored NASCAR 75 Years, a retrospective book celebrating the sport’s history[5].
• Launched and hosts The Racing Writer’s Podcast, featuring interviews with drivers and personalities from NASCAR, NHRA, and beyond[6].
• 2023: Elected president of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), becoming one of the youngest leaders in the organization’s history[7].
• Multiple placements in NMPA Journalism Awards, including second place for feature writing[8].

INSPIRATIONS

When asked about her inspiration, Crandall points to Jimmie Johnson—not just for his seven championships, but for how he carries himself. “His work ethic, how he treats people, how he handles himself through the good and bad times,” she’s said. It’s a fitting choice for someone who’s built her own career on consistency, professionalism, and grace under pressure. She also credits Deb Williams for paving the way and showing her what was possible for women in motorsports journalism.

REPUTATION

Crandall has become a go-to voice in NASCAR media—trusted by fans, respected by drivers, and relied upon by editors who know she’ll deliver. Her writing is clean, her reporting is tight, and she doesn’t waste anyone’s time with fluff. She’s covered everything from championship battles to garage drama, and she does it with a blend of authority and accessibility that’s rare in sports journalism.

As president of the NMPA, she’s also stepped into a leadership role within the industry itself, advocating for her peers and working to elevate the standards of motorsports coverage. She’s not just writing about NASCAR—she’s helping shape its media landscape. And she’s doing it while being unapologetically herself: a woman who started as a shy college grad and became one of the most influential journalists in the sport.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Information about specific future goals or plans beyond 2025 is not publicly available at this time.

REFERENCES

Central Penn College Penndulum Magazine
Kelly Crandall – RACER Author Profile
Kelly Crandall – RACER Bio
Kelly Crandall – Motorsports Journalist
Spotswood’s Kelly Crandall Co-Authors Retrospective Book on 75 Years of NASCAR
The Racing Writer’s Podcast – Apple Podcasts
Pocono Raceway Receives 2023 Joe Littlejohn Award
NMPA Journalism Awards
Kelly Crandall – CARS YEAH Interview
Kelly Crandall – CARS YEAH Profile
Citizen Journalist to Media Boss | Episode 7: Kelly Crandall – YouTube
Kelly Crandall – Muck Rack Profile
Kelly Crandall – Simon & Schuster Author Page