Shawna Robinson
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Shawna Robinson made history as the first woman to win a major NASCAR-sanctioned race at Milwaukee Mile’s Bobtail 100, then dominated the Dash Series with three wins and back-to-back Most Popular Driver awards.
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Robinson has expressed preference to be remembered as a winning driver rather than just a pioneering female driver
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FULL BIO: Shawna Robinson
Shawna Robinson blazed trails as one of NASCAR’s pioneering female drivers, becoming the first woman to win a major NASCAR Touring Series race and earning recognition for her tenacity in breaking barriers throughout multiple racing divisions.
EARLY YEARS
Born on November 30, 1964, Shawna Robinson started competing in racing as a child and graduated high school in 1983. After graduation, she jumped straight into racing semi-tractors—not exactly your typical post-graduation plan, but it worked. By 1984, at just 19 years old, she debuted on the Great American Truck Racing (GATR) circuit, immediately proving she belonged by taking home Rookie of the Year honors.
OTHER INTERESTS
Beyond the racetrack, Robinson channels her creative energy into running an interior decorating and furniture business. As a single mother of two children, she’s mastered the art of balancing entrepreneurship with family life—skills that probably came in handy during her racing career too.
EARLY SUCCESS
Robinson’s early racing resume reads like a masterclass in making history. After her standout rookie year in GATR, she won the Bobtail 100 at Milwaukee Mile, earning the distinction of being the first woman to win a major NASCAR-sanctioned race. But she was just getting started. In 1988, she moved to the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series and immediately made her mark, winning three races and racking up 21 top-ten finishes. She finished third in points in both 1988 and 1989, while also earning Most Popular Driver honors both years. In 1989, she became the first woman to win a pole position in the Dash Series at I-95 Speedway.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1984: Rookie of the Year in GATR Truck Series
- 1984: Won Bobtail 100 at Milwaukee Mile, first woman to win major NASCAR-sanctioned race
- 1988: First woman to win NASCAR Touring Series race (Dash Series)
- 1988: Most Popular Driver in Dash Series
- 1988: Finished 3rd in Dash Series points
- 1989: Most Popular Driver in Dash Series
- 1989: First woman to win pole in Dash Series at I-95 Speedway
- 1989: Finished 3rd in Dash Series points
- 1994: Pole position in NASCAR Busch Series at Atlanta (Busch Light 300)
- 2001: 3rd place finish at Nashville Superspeedway in ARCA
INSPIRATIONS
While specific mentors and influences aren’t documented, Robinson’s early willingness to race semi-tractors and compete in male-dominated series from childhood suggests an inherent drive to challenge conventions and prove herself on her own terms.
REPUTATION
Robinson earned respect as a legitimate competitor who happened to be female, not just a novelty act. Her back-to-back Most Popular Driver awards in the Dash Series proved fans appreciated her talent, while her consistent top finishes demonstrated she could run with the boys. She faced the typical challenges of being a woman in motorsports—prejudice, hostility, and sponsorship struggles—but her preference to be remembered as a winning driver rather than just a pioneering female driver speaks to her competitive mindset. Throughout her career in various NASCAR divisions, she was recognized as one of only 16 women to compete in NASCAR Cup Series and one of just three women to race in the Daytona 500.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Robinson retired from racing around 2005 to focus on her family and interior design business. No current racing commitments or future competitive plans have been documented.
References:
Wikipedia – Shawna Robinson
Encyclopedia.com – Robinson, Shawna
Historic Racing – Shawna Robinson Profile
WomenInRacing.org – Shawna Robinson Bio
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