The Press Democrat July 18, 2002

By Leah Etling

Mom Conquers Petaluma Speedway

Debbie Taylor has two teenagers, helps her husband run the family automotive shop in Novato and has a hobby that keeps her really, really busy: Racing a Pure Stock car around the dirt track at Petaluma Speedway.  "My family would tell you that I eat, drink and sleep racing," Taylor said, "It takes up a lot of my time." 

Taylor, 40, has been racing four years.  She came into this season with a very specific goal: To win the Pure Stock class at Petaluma, a perfect send-off to her planned move up to the Street Stock class next. year.

She announced that intention at the beginning of the season with her first main-event win, which also happened to be the first ever by a female driver at Petaluma.

"For some reason, I just felt good about going to the races that night," she said. "I pumped myself up so much telling myself we were going to do it."

Although Taylor had worked with her husband running their auto shop, Taylor Automotive, for nearly 20 years, she didn't know all that much about cars when she started competing.

"I know what things are and how long it takes to change things," she said. "I've gotten more into (parts) now that I have a car."

Taylor's husband, Bill provided the mechanical work needed on her first car, a 1973 Ford Torino that he bought from a friend after Debbie announced her desire to try racing.

For her second season, the couple built another Ford, even though Bill prefers Chevrolets, Debbie will drive a Camaro in Street Stock next year.

Currently, Taylor is in first place in the Pure Stock standings with 794 points.  She struggled on the evening of the raceway's double-points night when her car overheated and she finished ninth of 10 cars.

A win in a main event is worth 60 points in the standings, while preliminary hearts earn winners 6 points.

Taylor is one of three women racing at Petaluma.  Laura Thorrson competes in Street Stock and Cheri Arriaga in 360 Sprint Cars.

Although she gets a lot of attention for being female, Taylor said it's usually neither negative nor overly incredulous.

"Any time you have a new driver come in, guy or girl, people are always really skeptical," she said. "You're worried about them getting in your way.  I'm sure people had those same fears when I came out."

Now they're more likely to be worried that she's going to beat them soundly.  In her main-event win, Taylor lapped all but two of the cars in the race.

"I've been in the points lead most of the year," Taylor said.  "They may feel a little intimidated by that because it's a girl out there beating them.  But other than that, we go out and have fun."

Pit crew member Bruce Pitman, who has known Taylor since childhood, said she's gotten a positive response. "The guys I talk to love having her out there.  They cheer for her more than they do their own cars," Pitman said.

He's seen Taylor improve to the point where Pure Stock may not challenge her enough.  "I think it's about time for her to move up." Pitman said.  "This is starting to get a little easy for her."