Female driver to make NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Kansas Speedway
 
Kansas City native Jennifer Jo Cobb knew from the first shovel of dirt at ground-breaking, and the first wave of the green flag, that she would race at Kansas Speeedway.

And race there she has.

Cobb's seat time on the track started in 2002 with her first race in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, advanced to the former NASCAR Busch Series, and this month, she makes her debut into the always hard-charging NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
 
But Cobb's appearance in the NCTS isn't the only new face at the Kansas race. She'll be piloting the #74 Dodge Ram of former Daytona 500 winner, Derrike Cope, and his newly-founded NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team.
 
"I couldn't be more excited. I love racing at Kansas Speedway, and am looking forward to climbing behind the wheel in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and kicking off Derrike's new race team," said Cobb. "We're thankful for the continuing support of sponsors like Providence Medical Center and Saint John Hospital, who have been on board for more than four years, but we really need to turn some heads with this new program, and secure additional sponsorships that will allow us to race at more tracks this season."
 
The partnership between Cobb and Derrike Cope Racing may be a new one, but their passion for racing and experience on the racetrack and working with sponsors' interests certainly is not. Both drivers have raced in various series and have spoken on behalf of many sponsors on and off the track. The "back to the roots" business philosophy of Cope played a key part in his decision to create his own racing team, and his respect for Cobb's shared values made a partnership a natural fit.
 
"There are a lot of successful racing programs out there week to week, but there's also a lot of sponsors who do not remain in the sport for very long," stated Cope. "I believe there are people who work with sponsors simply as a means to race, and others who make a commitment to helping their sponsors achieve specific business needs through their involvement in NASCAR. Jennifer epitomizes the latter, as we choose instead to develop long-term relationships." 
 
Cobb certainly is no stranger to a racecar. A second generation driver, Cobb followed in the footsteps of her racing father, Joe Cobb, and quickly found success at local venues like Lakeside Speedway and I-70 Speedway. She's continued that success into the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where she's posted three top-10 finishes in her first five starts, one of which came at Kansas. Sixteen years after stepping into the cockpit of her first racecar, she finds herself amongst some of the sport's best drivers, racing to showcase her talent and build a name for herself in the tops series of NASCAR.
 
But there's more to Cobb's story than meets the eye. When not competing, she is a professional public speaker addressing companies locally and across the nation at a myriad of corporate events. Cobb works as one of the top instructors for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and runs her own clothing line for female motorsports fans, Driver Boutique. She also takes great pride in the growth of her hometown Kansas City, Kansas, and the growing support of not only loyal fans, but also of loyal businesses.

"I remember when Kansas Speedway was merely the dream of a few, and now look at the magnitude of the support from the community and the corporations both here in Kansas City and nationally," Cobb said. "As a hometown driver, it's exciting to see so many companies embrace the potential NASCAR has in reaching their goals, and we're constantly pursuing opportunities to help them and other companies achieve their business goals!'"

Cobb's passion for racing is what has compelled her to keep pushing to realize her dream, and her determination is contagious. The "stigma" of being a female driver in a male-dominated sport doesn't bother her, as she focuses on letting her performance on the track speak for itself.

"Other females have competed in various levels of motorsports, opening the eyes of everyone from race fans to the decision makers in the corporate boardrooms," said Cobb. "There's a lot of talent out there, and it's only a matter of time until a female driver, with a strong corporate partnership, makes history out on the racetrack."

For Jennifer Jo Cobb, history continues Saturday, April 26, at the Kansas Speedway.

SOURCE: Team Media Release/Edited by Steve Keller