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Susan Wade is a trailblazing motorsports journalist who’s spent over 45 years carving out her place in the predominantly male world of drag racing coverage. An Indianapolis native who relocated to Seattle four decades ago, she’s become one of the sport’s most respected writers—known for her sharp human-interest angles and an unflinching ability to tell the stories behind the smoke and speed.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in Indianapolis, motorsports was practically encoded in Wade’s DNA from day one. Growing up in the racing capital of the world, she was surrounded by the roar of engines and the culture of speed. Her path into sports journalism began in 1979 with a defining moment: a roller skating assignment at The Indianapolis Star Sports Department. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start—and Wade made the most of it. That early gig laid the foundation for what would become a four-decade-plus career covering the stories that matter, with a particular focus on the grit and determination required to succeed in motorsports.

OTHER INTERESTS

While drag racing has dominated Wade’s professional life, she’s built her career on a broader foundation of sports journalism expertise. Her work spans multiple motorsports disciplines and general sports coverage, reflecting a versatile writing skill set that extends well beyond the quarter-mile. Wade has also ventured into multimedia storytelling through Wade Productions, her own company that blends traditional print media with modern digital platforms. She’s kept pace with the evolution of sports media while maintaining the sharp, personality-driven writing style that first made her name.

EARLY SUCCESS

Wade’s early career saw her building credibility across major newspapers and publications. She honed her craft writing for The Indianapolis Star before expanding her reach to national outlets. Her ability to find the human story within the high-octane chaos of motorsports set her apart from the pack. By the mid-2000s, she was contributing regularly to major publications including the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Los Angeles Daily News Group. Her work wasn’t just about lap times and technical specs—it was about the drivers, the crews, and the personalities that made drag racing compelling. That approach earned her respect in an industry that didn’t always make room for women behind the notepad.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1979: Began sports journalism career with The Indianapolis Star Sports Department[1].
• 2005-2015: Regular freelance contributor to the Newark Star-Ledger and Chicago Tribune[2].
• 2007-2016: Contributed to the Los Angeles Daily News Group[3].
• YEAR UNKNOWN: Became the first non-NASCAR recipient of the prestigious Russ Catlin Award[4].
• ONGOING: Senior Writer for Competition Plus Magazine[5].
• ONGOING: Drag Racing Correspondent for Autoweek[6].
• ONGOING: Contributing Editor for Car and Driver[7].
• ONGOING: Regular contributor to FordMuscle, Dragzine, and Inside Drag Racing[8].
• ONGOING: Founder and “crew chief” of Wade Productions/Thoughts Racing, a multimedia journalism platform[9].
• 2024-2025: Celebrating 45 years in sports journalism with nearly 30 seasons covering NHRA events at the racetrack[10].

INSPIRATIONS

Information about Wade’s specific inspirations is not available in the provided research.

REPUTATION

Wade has emerged as one of drag racing’s leading journalists, particularly recognized for her focus on human-interest stories that bring personality and depth to technical coverage. She’s earned her stripes not by mimicking the male-dominated status quo, but by offering something different: writing that captures what makes racers tick, what drives teams through adversity, and what the sport means beyond wins and losses. Her historic Russ Catlin Award—traditionally reserved for NASCAR writers—signals the cross-discipline respect she’s earned. Wade has covered legends like 10-time Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden and documented the sport’s evolution through major team changes, including the Al-Anabi Racing exit. Her byline appears across the most respected motorsports publications, and her colleague recognition as a verified senior correspondent on platforms like Muck Rack underscores her status. In an industry where women have historically struggled for recognition, Wade didn’t just get a seat at the table—she built her own.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Wade continues expanding her multimedia presence through Wade Productions, with plans to revive the 1320 TV brand within the soon-to-launch Power Candy TV platform. She remains active covering the 2025 NHRA season for multiple outlets, delivering analysis on everything from championship points to the feasibility of two-day race formats. After more than four decades in the game, she shows no signs of slowing down—she’s simply adding new platforms to her arsenal while maintaining the incisive, personality-driven coverage that’s become her trademark.

REFERENCES

[1] Susan Wade Contributing Editor – Autoweek
[2] Wade Productions
[3] Wade Productions
[4] Women Take Prominent Roles in Drag Racing – Autoweek
[5] Susan Wade’s Profile | Muck Rack
[6] Susan Wade Contributing Editor – Autoweek
[7] Susan Wade Contributing Editor – Car and Driver
[8] Susan Wade, Author at FordMuscle
[9] About Us – Thoughts Racing (Wade Productions)
[10] Susan Wade, Author at Dragzine