One of my early coaching clients was Lyn St. James, the second woman, after Janet Guthrie, to race in the Indy 500. In her first Indy she was named Rookie of the Year. I believe it was 1994.

When Lyn got in the racing business, women were not allowed in the pit at Indy. Auto racing was definitely a man’s world. That never thwarted her efforts to find a sponsor and put together her racing team. I believe she raced for Jack Rauch Racing in that first 500. Rauch Racing is still a power in auto racing.

I was impressed with Lyn’s prowess on the track, but was even more impressed with her toughness in the corporate boardroom. Her yearly efforts there with the “good old boys” required courage of conviction second to none. She had two primary commitments—one, to have a car to race, and two, to keep the doors open for women in racing. No one has done more for young women seeking an opportunity to “go fast.”  Lyn St. James has given hundreds of women the chance to do just that.