Louise Smith

For other people named Louise Smith, see Louise Smith (disambiguation).

Louise Smith (July 31, 1916, in Barnesville, Georgia – April 15, 2006) was tied for the second woman to race in NASCAR at the top level. She was known as "the first lady of racing."^[1]

Louise Smith
Born	(1916-07-31)July 31, 1916 Barnesville, Georgia, United States
Died	April 15, 2006(2006-04-15) (aged 89)
Cause of death	Cancer
Awards	International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1999) Member of the "Living Legends" Racing Club in Daytona Beach Member of "The Old Timer's" Racing Club in Archdale, North Carolina Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame
NASCAR Cup Series career
11 races run over 3 years
Best finish	63rd (1949)
First race	1949 (Daytona Beach)
Last race	1952 (Morristown)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0

She went as a spectator to her first NASCAR race at the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949. She could not stand watching the races, so she entered her family's shiny new Ford coupe in the race and rolled it. Her hometown Greenville, South Carolina paper featured photos of the wreck, and the town knew about it before she got home.^[2] The race was the first race to feature three female drivers (Ethel Mobley and Sara Christian). The trio also competed later that season at the Langley Speedway.

She raced from 1949 to 1956. She won 38 races in her career in numerous formats: late models, modifieds (28 victories), midgets, and sportsman.

Car owner

She returned in 1971 as a car owner for numerous drivers. She sponsored Ronnie Thomas' Rookie of the Year attempt in 1978.

Award

She became the first woman inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	NGNC	Pts
1949	Louise Smith	94	Ford	CLT	DAB 20	HBO 27	LAN 16	HAM	MAR	HEI	NWS																											63rd	4
1950				DAB 41	CLT	LAN 21	MAR	CAN	VER	DAY	MCF	CLT	HBO																									109th	-
			Nash											DAY 19	HAM 22	DAR DNQ	LAN	NWS	VER	MAR	WIN	HBO 19
1952	Louise Smith		Olds	PBS	DAB	JSP	NWS	MAR	CLB	ATL	CCS 26	LAN 24	DAR	DAY	CAN	HAY	FMS	HBO	CLT	MSF	NIF	OSW	MON	MOR 30	PPS	MCF	AWS	DAR	CCS	LAN	DAY	WIL	HBO	MAR	NWS	ATL	PBS	173rd	-

Bibliography

• Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith (Dutton Books for Children) by Barb Rosenstock, 2010.

References

1. "Legendsofnascar.com". Archived from the original on 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
2. Motorsportshalloffame.com Archived 2006-05-08 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• nascar.com Biography
• Louise Smith driver statistics at Racing-Reference
• Louise Smith owner statistics at Racing-Reference
• Biography at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
• Biography
• Laidback Racing site
• Obituary Archived 2019-03-22 at the Wayback Machine
• Louise Smith Biography