Project Podium is a program within the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1994 by Lyn St. James. Each year, up to $50,000 in funds are available to young women drivers who compete in all forms of motorsports including karting, quarter midgets, drag racing, sports car and oval track racing.

The overarching goal of Project Podium is to provide financial assistance in the form of matching grants to women drivers to help further their professional careers. Secondarily, the Project Podium process introduces or further provides experience for drivers in the very important business aspect of the racing industry by the matching fund requirement.

In addition to Lyn St. James, all applications are reviewed by a panel of motorsports and business professionals.

Currently, we are not accepting applications for Project Podium Grants.

2009 Grant Winners
Indianapolis, IN (June 8, 2009) — Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation today announced the six young women drivers who received funding from the Foundation’s new matching grant program, Project Podium. This second funding cycle distributed grants totaling $27,500 to:

• Rebecca Kasten, 18, Megon, WI, ASA Late Model Stock Car Series
• Brie Hershey, 17, Dillsburg, PA, 358 Sprint Car Driver
• Stacy Warrington, 18, Milton, DE, Super Late Model Stock Cars
• Zoe Mattis, 13, Pottstown, PA, Micro Sprint Car Series
• Jessica Brunelli, 16, Hayward, CA, NASCAR Modified Series/USAC Ford Focus
• Alesi Gerthe, 19, Rockdale, TX, IHRA & NHRA Quick Rod

Partners
The grants awarded to up-and-coming young women drivers are not possible without the help of individuals, companies, tracks, teams, and series who make financial contributions to the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation. For a PDF of a partnership PowerPoint, please click here.