Janet Guthrie

A look at NASCAR Grand National stock car racing circa 1976-7. The stars include Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, and Buddy Baker, and includes upstart female racer Janet Guthrie. The sport in the mid-1970s was undergoing a surge of national popularity after Petty and Pearson crashed fighting for the win within sight of the checkered flag of the 1976 Daytona 500, telecast live on ABC Sports, and the surging interest triggered renewed media interest in the sport.

In the world of motorsports, the Indianapolis 500 has long been considered the only race. In May 1977, Janet Guthrie — the first woman to attempt Indy — earned herself a spot in the prestigious field of 33. A year later, overcoming impossible odds, Guthrie cobbled together her own team for a stunning success. Yet just when her career should have rocketed forward, it suddenly, inexplicably stalled.

This exciting, award-winning documentary explores the history and many acheivements of women in auto racing- the fight for recognition in a male-dominated field, the safety risks, the enthusiastic fans, family support and encouragement, the marketing and sponsorship challenges, and the pressure of being a role model. Thrilling footage from both historic and current races, and interviews with racing's most prominent women and men reveal just how far women have come in the field. -Witness some of these women's horrific crashes and learn what lures them back into the driver's seat. -Discover how a very shy and timid women expertly handles a monster machine zooming at 220mph across a salt bed. -Hear the touching tale of driver Kimberly Myers, a women who races against her own clock and Cystic Fibrosis -Meet Shawna Robinson, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, and Tammy Jo Kirk along with other pioneers of women's racing