Whom You Know: #CruisingPeachy @GrayLeadbetter 17-year-old Gray Leadbetter posts another first for women in racing

Friday, June 17, 2022

#CruisingPeachy @GrayLeadbetter 17-year-old Gray Leadbetter posts another first for women in racing

It was a new series, a new race vehicle and a new accomplishment in a long list of firsts for 17-year-old Gray Leadbetter. Ahead of her first drive in the Ryan Beat Motorsports #28 Bilstein Chevrolet Colorado, Leadbetter said, "My only goal was to finish." And finish she did, taking first place in the Antigo, WI race and putting her name in the history books as the first woman to win a Championship Off Road Pro race.

Dramatic late pass gives Ledbetter and Ryan Beat Motorsports #28 Chevrolet Colorado historic win.

Historic first for Gray Leadbetter in the Ryan Beat Motorsports #28 Bilstein Chevrolet Colorado.

Leadbetter is accustomed to being the first, the only woman, or the youngest competitor. In 2017, she became the first female to win a US Pro Kart Series national race. At the age of 14, she was the youngest competitor and the only woman in Americas Rallycross ARX2 series where she finished 5th in the championship. In 2020, she was the first woman to win a Championship Off Road SXS race.

In Antigo, any chance at a win appeared to evaporate when Leadbetter spun on the first lap. But, showing maturity and a never-say-die attitude, Leadbetter maintained her composure and assaulted the course with a thrilling display of skill and determination.

Early race leaders Sleaper and Visser succumbed to mechanical problems, leaving Van Den Elzen first with Leadbetter closing fast. With two minutes remaining, Van Den Elzen spun and nearly crashed into a hard-charging Leadbetter. In the ensuing drag race to the next turn, Leadbetter took the lead for good. Van Den Elzen pressured, but Leadbetter was unflappable and won the race by three seconds.

In the second race of the weekend, Leadbetter led early, but a rut put her up on two wheels allowing Visser to pass her for first. After two races, Leadbetter now leads the Pro Spec class championship. All in all, it was a great start for Leadbetter and her ReadyWise, Toyo Tires, Vision Wheels and Lucas Oil sponsors.

In addition to driving the Ryan Beat Racing #28 Bilstein Chevrolet Colorado, Leadbetter is committed to a full season in her ReadyWise-sponsored sprint car with Marc Dailey Racing. She also works with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to help end childhood cancer. (To donate visit: nationalpcf.org)

Emergency food supplies: https://readywise.com

https://www.grayleadbetter.com

https://www.ryanbeatmotorsports.com

https://www.chevrolet.com/motorsports

Click here to follow Gray on Instagram

Click here to follow Gray on Twitter

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/