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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]

REFERENCES

NASCAR’s Next generation: Nicole Behar – NBC Sports
NASCAR’s Next generation: Nicole Behar – NBC Sports (Fifth-generation racer)
Fast Facts: NASCAR Next driver Nicole Behar – Skirts and Scuffs
NASCAR’s Next generation: Nicole Behar – NBC Sports (Mother’s quote)
NASCAR’s Next generation: Nicole Behar – NBC Sports (Eastern Washington University)
Nicole Behar Trying To Make Her Sprint Cup Dream A Reality – ESPN
Nicole Behar finds inspiration from father Mike – YouTube
Nicole Behar Teams Up with Travis Sharpe for K&N West Bid – Race22
Northwest Super Late Model Series Treks to Idaho’s Stateline Speedway – Racing America
Fast Facts: NASCAR Next driver Nicole Behar – Skirts and Scuffs (IKF Championships)
Fast Facts: NASCAR Next driver Nicole Behar – Skirts and Scuffs (2014 debut)
NASCAR Next alumni Nicole Behar making ARCA debut – NBC Sports
Nicole Behar – Wikipedia
NASCAR Introduces 12 Promising Drivers as Members of the 2015-2016 NASCAR Next Class – K&N Filters
NASCAR Introduces 12 Promising Drivers – K&N Filters (NASCAR Next)
Nicole Behar Trying To Make Her Sprint Cup Dream A Reality – ESPN (2015 stats)
18-year-old Nicole Behar set to make first ARCA Racing Series start on Father’s Day – Autoweek
Nicole Behar to Race in PASS and CARS in 2016 – Race22
Nicole Behar – Wikipedia (2017 season)
Nicole Behar Back Full-Time in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West 2017 Season – Fan4Racing
Northwest Super Late Model Series – Racing America (Career stats)
Nicole Behar Teams Up with Travis Sharpe – Race22 (Nine championships)
Nicole Behar finds inspiration from father Mike – YouTube (Father inspiration)
NASCAR’s Next generation: Nicole Behar – NBC Sports (Family history)
Fast Facts: NASCAR Next driver Nicole Behar – Skirts and Scuffs (Irwindale record)
NASCAR Introduces 12 Promising Drivers – K&N Filters (Only female in NASCAR Next)
Stock Car Racing Team Makes History, Starts Three Female Drivers – Sports Illustrated
Nicole Behar – Wikipedia (Top half performance)
Northwest Super Late Model Series – Racing America (Comeback)
Nicole Behar Trying To Make Her Sprint Cup Dream A Reality – ESPN (Sprint Cup dream)