With such a large program spanned over two decades, I hope to eventually include as many individuals as possible, involved in every aspect of the program, from drivers to haulers to managers to detailers. If you had any part in the PPG Pace Car Team, please let me know your name, position and years on the team. If your name is already here and would like it to be removed, please contact me, as I respect your privacy.
Drivers
Jodi Dangel
Margie Smith-Haas
Trisha Hessinger
Years on the team: 14
Hometown: Fleetwood, PA
Trisha was the first woman to take over the duties of Official Pace Car Driver during the CART races when Johnny Rutherford retired from the position in 1995. Hessinger has eight years of racing experience and several wins under her belt, while piloting everything from Formula Fords to showroom stock cars. Hessinger is currently the host of a popular television show on the ‘Do It Yourself’ network called ‘CAR CARE AND REPAIR’. This is her second automotive related TV show, the first being titled ‘READY FOR THE ROAD’. She is also a sought after ‘Product Trainer’ with the auto manufacturers, as they seek to train their employees on the technical aspects of new products coming to market. Trisha’s athletic endeavors do not just include racing. She is a USFSA double Gold Medallist figure skater, a Championship rider in the equestrian discipline of Dressage and a winter tri-athlete.
Debra Mayer
Alice Ridpath
Jane Smith
Lea Croteau-Bartlett
Years on the team: 1998-2000
In a daily act of gratitude to those who helped along the way and continue to inspire her, Lea’s mission in life is to share what’s she’s learned behind the wheel, to keep learning, and inspire anyone who thinks “they can’t” into someone “who can.” Accomplishments include: SCCA Series Regional / National / Pro Sports Car Race Driver, Valvoline National Championship Runoffs Competitor, Scholarship winner of Lyn St. James Driver, Development Program, PPG IndyCar/CART Pace Car Team Driver, Several time 24+ Hour / Endurance Race Podium Race Driver, Six time Podium Finisher Tire Rack One Lap of America, Rally America Championship and Podium Co-Driver, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Competitor, NEED FOR SPEED Movie and Film Stunt Driver and Double, Taurus World Stunt Awards Best Stunt by Woman Nominee
Margy Eatwell
Marybeth Harrison
Joanne Loh
Terry MacDonald-Cadieux
Stacy Marchant
Years on the team: 4
Hometown: Hillsburgh, Ontario, Canada
After a career as an international competitor in alpine skiing, Melanie left ski racing for auto racing. She currently competes in the Canadian Formula Ford Championship, a development series for Formula Atlantic and Indy Lights. Melanie is looking to move up the development ladder and is working towards her ultimate goal of competing in the CART FedEx Championship Series. Aside from racing, Melanie is a partner in Driving Unlimited, a national driver training company as well as an Associate Editor of Carguide Magazine.
Linda Pobst
Years on the team: 5
Hometown: Melbourne, FL
In 2000, Linda made her Trans-Am racing debut on the streets of San Diego, in a 650 HP Camaro, moving up 17 positions. She won in 1995 at Watkins Glen in the IMSA Endurance Championship Series, making her the first women to win the Touring Division. In 1994 she competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, again in a 650 HP Camaro. Linda has three SCCA National Road Racing wins, two SCCA National Solo II Championships, and five State Championships. When Linda is not racing, she spends her time as a marketing consultant for major automotive manufacturers.
Allison Stewart
Years on the team: 11
Hometown: Pittsboro, IN
A successful karter since age 18, Rhonda became 1988 International SuperKart Association Champion in the 250cc division, was the WKA/SCK Western Points Region Champion in 1989 and also crowned 89/90 World Karting Champion. A top ten finisher in Skip Barber Formula Ford Series points, she also competed in Barber Saab races in ‘92 and ‘93 and scored a win in the Formula Russell Series. She successfully passed her Indy Lights Rookie Test in ‘92 and also competed in the PPG Neon Celebrity Challenge Series, winning at the ‘98 Minneapolis Grand Prix. Rhonda was able to participate in selected races in the Barber Dodge Pro Series in 1999 and 2000. With full funding, Rhonda will now be competing in the Barber Dodge Pro Series and plans to utilize the CART ladder system and work her way to the Champ Car ranks via Toyota Atlantics and/or Indy Lights.
Gail Truess
Years on the team: 9
Hometown: Blue Ridge, SC
Gail is currently competing in the SCCA National PRO Rally Championship Series. Her best season was 1999 as the first woman in the series’ 25-year history to capture a National Drivers Championship. In 1998 she earned her first national class victory and a fourth overall in the famous Press On Regardless rally. She has also competed in Neon Challenge races, the Pikes Peak Hillclimb, One Lap of America and the Winter Alcan 5000. Gail works for ALEM International, a global events company as Director of Drive Programs. She currently heads up the driving schools at the BMW Performance Center. Also a dual business owner, she operates Rally Dynamics, a racecar-engineering firm that constructs and maintains race and rally cars. Her second business is the Automotive Consulting Team, which provides consulting and staff for racetrack driving programs.
Kelly Williams
Years on the team: 8
Hometown: Inglewood, Ontario, Canada
Kelly started racing street stocks at age 16 at Ontario short tracks in her first race car, a 1975 Chevelle. In 1984, with backing from GM Goodwrench she jumped to Canada’s premier racing Series, CASCAR (Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). For the past 8 years Kelly has competed in CASCAR and has backing from Westburne Electric Supply and AOL Canada. In 1999, she was voted Most Popular Driver by the fans. In addition to this, Kelly is a certified high school teacher, and does ride and drive events for various automotive manufacturers.
Stacy Kuhn
Years on the team: 5
Hometown: Denver, CO
Stacy began her racing career competing in autocrossing. Stacy debuted in her road-racing career in 1991, racing SCCA. Her first race car was a Spec Racer. After one year of competing in the series, Stacy received the notable Rookie of the Year Award from SCCA in 1991. In 1992 she won her first race and began scoring top finishes in SCCA National events. Stacy also spent her time instructing high performance driving clinics. Later that year, she became the first female chief instructor. This gave her the responsibility to train incoming instructors and course development. Stacy continued racing road courses and competing in endurance events until 1995. In 1996 and 1997 Stacy competed in the Celebrity Dodge Neon Series. She now enjoys racing her Porsche 911SC and teaching first grade.
Pattie Mayer
Years on the team: 5
Hometown: Birmingham, MI
Pattie got involved with motorsports through her parents, as she would often co-drive endurance events with her father. Patti started doing high performance driving events and autocrossing with the BMW club when she turned 16, and then started club racing her 325is BMW in BMWCCA club racing and SCCA. In 1997 she started co-driving with teammate Gail Truess in the SCCA Pro Rally Series, and in 1999 they won the Production GT Championship. Patti has also competed in the Women’s Global GT Championship, Neon Celebrity Challenge and the SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford Series. She is a driving instructor at The Mid Ohio School in Mansfield, Ohio. And, while away from racing, she is an accomplished Occupational Therapist specializing in upper extremity orthopedic injuries.
Allison McKeever
Years on the team: 4
Hometown: Stevenson Ranch, CA
Allison started the first Legends Race Car dealership in California in 1993. She operated the Legends Cars Driving Experience, a road course/oval racing school, and launched the Southern California Legends Association. Allison raced Legends Cars as well, winning races in both the California and Arizona regions. She has appeared in television commercials & automotive training videos as a precision driver. You may recognize Allison as a past host of Speedvision’s Speedshop. Allison trains the celebrities for the Pro/Celebrity race at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach as well as MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Currently, Allison manages the FAST LANE Racing School and coordinates New Car Launches for various automotive manufacturers nationwide.
Staff
Jim Chapman
Director 1981-1992
Ken Lowe
Manager
Denny Fedor Sr.
Mike Sack
Director