McIntosh to Practice Turning Right and Left, Optimistic about 2010 Season

Woman of pressdog.com Shannon McIntosh is off to Florida this week where she’ll practice turning right and left and continue to be optimistic on her prospects for 2010.

Shannon, a 20-year-old veteran of USAC midgets, will take a two-day Skip Barber Advanced Racing course at Sebring thanks to former IndyCar owner Dale Pelfrey.

“Dale has been a supporter of mine since 2006 has taken a strong interest in myself as a driver and pursuit of a professional career in motorsports,” Shannon said. “Since IndyCar is now very much filled with road courses, it's essential that I have that craft under my belt as well. Dale has arranged this two-day advanced racing school for me so that 1) I can get my first real experience on a large road course and learn the different disciplines and 2) see how I adapt.”

From Sebring, Shannon will head to Daytona for the unveiling of the Women in the Winner’s Circle Traveling exhibit. Read more about it here. Shannon is an alumni of the Lyn St. James Women in the Winner's Circle Academy which is sponsoring the exhibit.

As for 2010, Shannon says “I have several things in the works. I should know more within the next few weeks and possibly after next week. Things are very positive though.”

Finding sponsorship remains a battle, but Shannon said her middle-class background has given her skills and an attitude that may actually give her an edge in a down economy.

“It’s always hard getting sponsorship -- and yes, especially with the economy in this state -- but I'm not using that as an excuse,” Shannon said. “I think the fact that I literally have no continuous financial backing -- and have always been on a shoe string budget anyway (coming from a middle-class working family) -- it's not as big of a SHOCK to me when money is tough to come by. In some ways I’m thankful for having to search for sponsorship my entire career because it has made me an extremely hard worker.”

“I do all of my own marketing/pr/management with the support of my amazing family and help from my friends at U!Creative who do my web site,” she said. “So, having to get my hands dirty and relying on myself to learn the biz and understand what I can do for a company has put me a step ahead in the hunt for sponsorship (which I refer to as partnership) dollars.”

McIntosh has been racing since age 5 when she started in quarter midgets. She most recently raced in the USAC Ford Focus Midgets. Shannon has racked up 100 career wins in various levels during her career.

For more on Shannon, check out her pressog Q&A here or visit shannonmcintosh.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter @MissFast1.

Comments

[redd]

The more I think about Indycar having half ovals and half twisties, the more I actually don't mind it. It forces drivers to have a skill-set you don't see mcuh anywhere else in racing and makes the series very unique.

(I know that N-car has 2 twisties, but I sure don't see them adding any more--if anything, I think they'd drop them.)

[gnome]

maybe this U!Creative logo/website design company should help sponsor McIntosh...GoDaddy's website service is everywhere now, but it's associated with Danica. Giving Danica-haters (and there are a lot of them) a competetitors option might not be a terrible idea.

[Trick Dickle]

"(I know that N-car has 2 twisties, but I sure don't see them adding any more--if anything, I think they'd drop them.)"

There are good reasons for that.

They understand the American audience.

Nice to see Dale Pelfrey still helping young drivers. Sarah Fisher appreciates what she did for her career.

[Dylan]

NASCAR may add Road America to the Cup schedaule, and Montreal. Both good dates, and it's sad Indycar running Barber/Brazil/St.Pete/Infenion while NASCAR runs Road America and Montreal

And Dick, NASCAR runs two races at Fontana, they don't understand the market at all

[redd]

If Nascar had their fingers on the pulse of America then they never would have dumped their traditional southern tracks in favor of two races at places like California, they wouldn't have moved to a boring, clunky spec car and they would've stuck with one network instead of the mixture they have now.

But I understand Nascar is very popular and Indycar can't compete at all at this point, so why "copy" their all-oval template?

[Edward]

Redd, Dylan, I wouldn't try reasoning with someone like Trick Bickle. It doesn't work, trust me on that.

Back on topic, however, good to hear about Shannon McIntosh. I have great admiration for all women in motorsports-especially anyone who can marry both off-track capabilities with on-track success, unlike some-so thank you, Pressdog, for your support of Shannon and all of the ladies. It is greatly appreciated.

[pressdog]

Shannon has schwerve. Happy to give her pdog air. At least she's keeping the door to IndyCar somewhat open by doing some twisty prep. Love to see her in the league some day. Need more former USAC-ers.

[Trick Dickle]

"Redd, Dylan, I wouldn't try reasoning with someone like Trick Bickle. It doesn't work, trust me on that."

I wouldn't listen to Eddie Irvine either. He has already proven to be a fraud, when confronted with actual facts.

There are good reasons why NASCAR only runs a couple of "non-ovals" (which is Kevin Lee's favorite expression) and will likely never have more then a handful at most. If you think real hard, I bet you can figure it out.

Back to the original article posted by Dog, this McIntosh sounds like she has her head on her shoulders and is willing to work on her craft. Good for her and good for Pelfrey. Wish he was still around in the IRL. He was one, that "got it".

[redd]

I agree Trick, about McIntosh--she's young, attractive, fairly experienced, willing to learn and seems willing to work. If she's good on the track, it seems like sponsors would follow.

[Dylan]

NASCAR only runs two road course races because ISC and SMI only own two. It's not about fans, because Kansas is probably going to get a second date. NASCAR is doing it's best to destroy themselves, so copying them isn't the answer.

[James]

What exactly is her experience? I only see a season of Focus cars, three years ago, with not really any success. Best of luck to her, but I'm not sure how someone sustains interest without really any resume and without racing, for the most part, in three years...I guess maybe I'm a pessimist.

[eto]

Think you better look harder James!!!!!

http://www.shannonmcintosh.com/victory-lane.aspx