Gracie Trotter

Gracie Elizabeth Trotter is an American stock car racing driver born on August 27, 2001, in Denver, North Carolina. She is best known for making history as the first female driver to win an ARCA-sanctioned race. Competing across regional and national series including the ARCA Menards Series West, the main ARCA Menards Series, and late model short-track events, Trotter has established herself as one of the prominent young female talents in modern American motorsport.

Early Life and Racing Origins

Trotter was raised in a family deeply embedded in racing, representing a third-generation competitor following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. Growing up attending local short tracks every weekend, she developed a passion for racing at a very early age. At seven years old, her father purchased a used go-kart, sparking her competitive journey. She progressed through karting ranks and transitioned into INEX Legends cars, earning multiple race victories and championships across short tracks in North Carolina and Georgia. Trotter also gained industry experience off the track by working with her family's racing-related surface coating business, Calico Coatings.

ARCA Career and Historic Win

Trotter's career accelerated after joining the Toyota Racing Development driver development program and signing with Bill McAnally Racing for the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West season. On September 26, 2020, at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, she led 95 of 150 laps to take the victory in the General Tire 150. The historic win made Trotter the first female driver to win an ARCA-sanctioned event in the series' 67-year history and only the second female winner in West Series history. She completed the 2020 West season third in the championship standings, recording seven top-five finishes. In 2021, Trotter joined Venturini Motorsports for a part-time schedule in the main ARCA Menards Series, securing multiple top-ten finishes.

Late Model Competition and Legacy

In addition to her touring series starts, Trotter has been an active participant in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program and competed with Rev Racing. She has continued to compete in late model events, including the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at iconic short tracks like Hickory Motor Speedway. Renowned for her technical feedback and smooth driving style, Trotter remains a pioneer for women in stock car racing, demonstrating consistent competitiveness across varied vehicle platforms from Legends cars to full-size ARCA stock cars.