Minden woman making racing history on the track

When Amy Barnes began racing go-karts at the impressionable age of 10, she quickly set her sights on her future - to be a NASCAR Cup driver.

At 25, she still has that goal but realizes it is going to be a bit harder for her to accomplish.

"Women are seen as mothers and nurturers, not racers," Barnes said from her racecar transporter Saturday while racing in Anderson, Calif.

Barnes, of Minden, is mother to 4-year-old Gavin, who was wide-eyed and curious while watching her work on the supermodified racecar. Barnes is running her first full season with the Western States Supermodified Racing League. She is the first woman ever to do so.

Barnes is part of DNA Racing, which fields two supermodified racecars in the WSSRL. Barnes drives the No. 67, her significant other, Eric Silsby, drives the No. 66. In her first-ever race at Rocky Mountain Raceways in Salt Lake City, Utah, Barnes finished a respectable 12th in a field of 17 cars. At Shasta Raceway Park Saturday, she finished fifth in a field of 14.

"I think it's easier competing with men than women," Barnes said. "There's a lot of testosterone to deal with, but I would rather race against the guys.

"I haven't heard anything about the guys not wanting to race against me. Most of them remember I did really well in a sprinter."

Barnes said making the transition from sprint car to supermodified has been easy for her. She appears to control a 1,900-pound racecar just fine.

"I get a better feeling in a super than a sprint car. It may be the wing, but I'm back in my comfort zone."

Barnes is running a 360 cubic-inch motor in the car. She feels it's strong enough to work with in competition and comparison to other cars.

"It may be lacking in horsepower compared to some of the others, but it handles comfortably."

Barnes missed the first two races because the car just wasn't coming together. Despite this setback, her goal is to make Rookie of the Year. She has one other driver in competition for the title - 18-year-old Martin McKeefery.

"I think I have a pretty good chance (of winning the title)," Barnes said. "Anything can happen. It should be interesting."

Barnes is in 14th place in points, with 259, out of 26 cars. McKeefery is sixth with 549 points. Barnes understands there is a lot to deal with in preparing the car for raceday, but she is fully hands-on when it comes to learning and doing.

"I don't have to worry about whether something gets done to the car," she said. "We try to have the car ready before we get to the track.

"And I've got to give a big thanks to S&S Motorsports - Tom Silsby, for helping us out. Tom worked his butt off for us."

Barnes is appreciative of her sponsors, also: Model Dairy, Rick's Plumbing and Sierra Racing Products. She said anyone wanting to become a sponsor with her is welcome to call her direct, at 267-9390.

Racing is a family affair for Amy Barnes. Owners of the car are her parents, Kathy and Dan Barnes, who also work on the car. The crew are her son, Gavin, for moral support, Glenn Koehler, Brenda Rhoades, Baron Bridgeman, Ambro Cornutt and Eric Silsby.

Amy said racing against her boyfriend has been advantageous for her.

"He encourages me and gives me tips," she said. "It's not a big competition between us. It's more for the experience; we can talk about it and it's quicker learning for the whole team."

Having her father at her side keeps her in a comfort zone, too. Dan has seen his daughter go from an excited little girl to a woman on a mission. And maintain a full-time job.

"I don't see her being female making us an underdog," he said. "But it's made us try harder.

"And Amy can talk about anything to anybody. She's very good at PR, which has helped her be more outgoing.

"Amy can relate better to 30- and 40-year-olds than most of them do with each other. She's very mature."

Dan Barnes said his goal for Amy is to get through this season for the experience and next year race for the championship.

"Amy and Eric race each other competitively," he said. "But Troy (Regier, current points leader in the WSSRL), will have an off night and Eric or Amy will be there. One or the other will win a race this year."

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.