curated by GRRL! updated: January 28, 2026

Bio Excerpt: Nicole Danielle Behar made history before she could legally vote, becoming the only female driver in NASCAR’s prestigious 2015 NASCAR Next class at just 17. The fifth-generation racer from Spokane traded her eighth birthday dream of a horse for horsepower, starting with go-karts and accumulating nine... (full bio below ↓↓)

Nicole Behar

NASCAR racer

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When I got the call that I was selected for the class, I was driving to school…

I’m a fifth-generation racer. My parents actually met racing go-karts when they were young kids as well.

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Nicole's Details:

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Birthday:

November 15, 1997 (28)

Birthplace:

Spokane, Washington

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NASCAR racing

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Pro

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residence:

Spokane, Washington

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LATEST Nicole NEWS:

(1) news stories

KAYLEE BRYSON Makes Historic West Series Debut as 40th Woman at Sonoma Road Course

July 10, 2025

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YouTube VIDS about Nicole:

Nicole D4D 2015 | Nicole Behar

August 31, 2015 / views: 737 / run: 00:01:00

Nicole Behar finds inspiration from father Mike

May 2, 2015 / views: 1756 / run: 00:01:39

Nicole2014D4D | Nicole Behar

August 15, 2014 / views: 180 / run: 00:03:16

Nicole2014D4D Promo | Nicole Behar

August 14, 2014 / views: 1581 / run: 00:00:57

Nicole2013 D4D Promo | Nicole Behar

August 22, 2013 / views: 832 / run: 00:01:17

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Nicole's full bio:

(last updated 2026-01-26

Nicole Behar is a fifth-generation American stock car racing driver from Spokane, Washington, who made history in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series West and became the only female driver in the prestigious 2015 NASCAR Next class at just 17 years old.

EARLY YEARS

Born November 15, 1997, in Spokane, Washington, Nicole Danielle Behar was destined for the track before she could walk. Racing wasn’t just a family hobby—it was in the DNA. Her great-grandfather raced hobby cars, her grandfather competed in Hawaii, and her parents Sherri and Mike Behar actually met racing go-karts as kids. The apple didn’t just fall near the tree; it rolled straight onto the racing circuit.[1][2]

For her eighth birthday, young Nicole had her heart set on a horse. Instead, her parents handed her the keys to a different kind of horsepower—her first go-kart.[3] It was a bait-and-switch that would change everything. From Otis Orchards, Washington, she started tearing up local tracks with the kind of determination that makes grown men nervous.

OTHER INTERESTS

While most teenagers were figuring out prom dates, Behar was juggling calculus and carburetors. She attended East Valley High School while simultaneously building a racing career, proving that multi-tasking isn’t just for moms.[4] After graduation, she enrolled at Eastern Washington University pursuing a degree in nursing—because apparently, one high-pressure, life-or-death career wasn’t enough.[5]

Nursing school held particular appeal for Behar, specifically working in pediatrics. Her mother admitted that finding friends who understood the racing lifestyle was nearly impossible, making Nicole’s ability to balance both worlds even more impressive.[6] When she wasn’t studying or racing, she could be found working on cars with her dad Mike, who remained one of her biggest inspirations and mentors throughout her career.[7]

EARLY SUCCESS

Before she was old enough to vote, Behar had already racked up an impressive nine championships across various racing series.[8] She won a Late Model championship at State Line Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho—the same track where she’d later make her comeback after a hiatus.[9] In her early go-karting years, she dominated with six championships, including the International Karting Federation (IKF) Region title.[10]

In 2014, at just 16 years old, she made her NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut driving the No. 33 for her family’s team, Nicole Behar Racing. She competed in three races that season and picked up two top-10 finishes right out of the gate.[11] By her fifth K&N West start in 2015, she tied the series record for the highest finish by a female driver with a second-place finish at Irwindale Event Center.[12] That performance wasn’t a fluke—it was a declaration.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2014: Made NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut at age 16, earning two top-10 finishes in three starts[13].
2015: Tied series record for highest finish by a female driver with second place at Irwindale Event Center in just her fifth K&N West start[14].
2015: Named to prestigious NASCAR Next class at age 17—the only female driver among 12 selected drivers[15].
2015: Earned two top-five finishes and multiple top-10s in eight K&N West starts[16].
2016: Made ARCA Racing Series debut on Father’s Day in the Montgomery Ward Father’s Day 200 at age 18[17].
2016: Signed development deal with David Gilliland Racing to compete in CARS Super Late Model Tour and PASS South Super Late Model Series[18].
2017: Returned full-time to NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, finishing 10th in final points with nine top-10 finishes in thirteen races[19].
2017: Competed in the NAPA 500 Challenge, featuring four races in eight days[20].
Career: Accumulated six top-five and 23 top-10 finishes in K&N West competition before stepping away from full-sized stock cars after 2017[21].
Career: Won nine championships before turning 20, including Late Model title at State Line Speedway[22].

INSPIRATIONS

Her father Mike Behar wasn’t just her dad—he was her crew chief, mentor, and the person who understood what it meant to have gasoline in your veins. Nicole frequently spoke about how her father inspired her racing journey, and their bond was evident both on and off the track.[23] Being a fifth-generation racer meant she had a legacy to uphold, but also a support system that understood the obsession.

The entire Behar racing lineage played a role in shaping her career. From her great-grandfather’s hobby car to her grandfather’s Hawaiian racing days to her parents meeting at a go-kart track, every generation added another chapter to the family story. Nicole wasn’t just chasing her own dream—she was carrying forward a multi-generational torch.[24]

REPUTATION

Behar earned respect not because she was a female driver, but because she could flat-out wheel. Her second-place finish at Irwindale tied the K&N West record for female drivers, and she was tied with Kenzie Ruston for that historic achievement.[25] When NASCAR selected her for the 2015 NASCAR Next class, she was the sole woman among 12 promising drivers—a recognition that spoke volumes about her talent and potential.[26]

She competed alongside and earned respect from teams like Venturini Motorsports, which had a history of giving opportunities to female drivers including Milka Duno, Alli Owens, and Johanna Long.[27] Behar’s consistent performance—running in the top half of the field throughout 2017—proved she belonged on any grid, regardless of gender.[28]

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

After stepping away from full-sized stock cars following the 2017 season, Behar spent time racing dirt karts and focusing on her nursing education. However, racing never fully left her system. She made a comeback to the Northwest Super Late Model Series after years away, returning to State Line Speedway where she’d once won a championship.[29] While her ultimate dream had always been to drive in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, her path has evolved to include both her passion for racing and her commitment to healthcare—proving that sometimes the best race strategy involves multiple finish lines.[30]