What If A Pageant Made You Braver with Caitlyn Vogel

Air horns, a packed arena, and a mom who never thought she’d wear a swimsuit on stage, then did it anyway. We’re joined by Caitlyn Vogel, a racer from Pennsylvania and a powerhouse in the women in motorsports community, to unpack what the Motorama pageant is actually like and why she keeps coming back for the friendships, the growth, and the chance to set an example for young drivers watching from the stands.

Caitlyn shares how losing more than 100 pounds changed her health and her mindset, and how she used motorsports pageants to prove a bigger point at home: confidence is built by doing the scary thing. We talk through the judging rounds (including the closed interview, sportswear, and swimwear), the very real criticism pageants can attract, and what it means to represent racing with purpose instead of chasing attention.

We also go deeper into what matters most to Caitlyn’s family: giving back. From Motorama fundraising for an autism school playground to launching her Fearless and Fuel brand with a goal to sponsor youth racers, her focus stays on opportunity, sportsmanship, and life lessons beyond winning. And you’ll hear about Lizzie's Snuggles for Clefts, the family’s effort to support cleft lip and palate families with care packages and ongoing advocacy, all rooted in the same racing community that showed up for them first.

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Transcript

Welcome To Women In Motorsports

SPEAKER_02 0:01

Welcome to the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, the show that puts the spotlight on the incredible women who fuel the world of motorsports. From drivers to crew members, engineers to fans, and everyone in between. We're here to celebrate the trail drivers, dreamers, and viewers shaping the sport election. Each episode we hear inspiring stories of females of all ages from every corner of the Motors universe, past, present, and future. It's a journey through the seasons of life filled with heartfelt moments, laughter, and a whole lot of horsepower. So whether you're a lifelong fan, a racer yourself, or simply curious about the extraordinary women behind the wheel, fell in, relax, and enjoy a fun and uplifting ride with us. This is the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, connecting and celebrating women in motorsports one story at a time. Let's hit the track. And I have one of my newer friends on the show tonight. Caitlin Vogel is here with me. And I interviewed her daughter a while back. It hasn't been all that long ago, Lizzie. And just got to be friends with the family. And we've never met in person, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends through StreamYard and through Facebook and all that. So Caitlin just attended the Motorama show and she participated in the pageant. And so I wanted to have her on and share about her experience and and what else she's got going on. And if you listen to a podcast that I recently did, Mallory Cutz was also at the Motorama. And so this is kind of a you know, we're gonna keep moving on about that event. And I had never heard of it till Mallory told me about it. And so I want to get the word out more about what that is. So Caitlin, I want to welcome you to the show, and I want you to, if you want to, share a little bit about yourself and then tell me, you know, kind of uh how you got interested in Motorama.

Losing 100 Pounds For Family

SPEAKER_00 2:23

So I'm from Myersdale, Pennsylvania, and I'm a mom of two girls that are actually fourth generation drivers and myself. I actually drive two. So we're a family of all racers. Weekends are busy along with my husband. But so I've actually lost over 100 pounds, and I never thought I'd ever see myself on stage, but it was kind of I started about four years ago doing motorsports pageants just to kind of prove to my daughter who was born with a cleft lip and palate that you know anything's possible and it's really helped my confidence, but not only, you know, I've geared my passion of helping other youth in the sport. And so I have a lot of girls at the local quartermidget track that really look up to me, and so it's kind of a way of showing them too you can do anything you put your heart to.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Isn't that the truth? Yeah, and they need they need to see it, they don't they can't just be told, they need to see an example. Yeah, absolutely for sure. So, how did you motivate yourself to lose a hundred pounds?

SPEAKER_00 3:33

For my kids, really, pregnancy was not nice to me like some, so that's kind of where it hit, but I had some health problems come up too, and I was just so motivated. So I've been four years, I've kept it off now. So really proud of myself.

Why Motorsports Pageants Matter

SPEAKER_02 3:50

Yeah, that's that's a huge accomplishment for sure. So tell me about your pageants. How did you get interested and started in pageants? And they have have they all been motorsports related or all different kinds of pageants?

SPEAKER_00 4:06

I've only ever done motorsports related. I was actually trying to think of the year so I get this right. 2023, I was Miss Speed Sports Showcase. That's up near like Poconos area. Unfortunately, the show there is no longer a show just because the price of everything, and they've tried some different things, but they couldn't make enough profit to keep it going on. I just really enjoyed the environment and traveling to different tracks and you know, handing out little crowns to little girls and meeting all the fans and the kids. That was really a lot and amazing opportunity. And then I took some time off and I missed it. I missed it so much. And it's just kind of like the sisterhood, too. You meet so many amazing women that are all part of motorsports in different ways. So I started doing racing extravaganza, which is in York, Pennsylvania, metal off cool people there. I took a year off just to kind of work, you know, work on myself a little, a little bit and work on my family. They both the girls started racing and so things changed a little bit. But this year I got back in the saddle and I did RX again and I didn't place anything. But like I said, it's just it's the friendships made that make it so important to me. And if I can make one girl, you know, be like, I want to do that, I want to be like her, then that's success in my plate. But then a couple of the girls talked me into Motorama. I've been there, it's huge, it's the suspense is crazy, the crowd is insane, and I never thought I'd be in front of that big of a crowd with a swimsuit on to save my life.

SPEAKER_02 6:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:03

But I overcame fears and it was an amazing experience.

Inside The Motorama Pageant

SPEAKER_02 6:08

So Caitlin, I know there's there's there's kind of two schools of thought. Some people think that pageants are outdated and and it exploits women and you know all that stuff. Another other school of thought is that it builds confidence, it builds a group of camaraderie with other women who enjoy that, you know. And so I like that you're willing to put on a swimsuit and whatever else you have to do to show little girls that even if it's not a pageant, if there's something they want to do that they're timid about, that they just need to go for it. And that's what you kind of did here. So tell me a little bit more in detail about Motorama and the pageant, and what do you what are all the things that you have to do and you're judged on?

SPEAKER_00 7:04

So Motorama is pretty big. So one of them is a closed interview, which we're all asked the same question, and I was up first, so that was kind of nerve-wracking. I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna lie. But interview, and then you have your sportswear, and then you also have your swimwear round as well. And swimwear around is like insane. I have never seen such a big crowd. There's air horns and there's fan vote. Just even stepping on that stage, your adrenaline is like through the roof and crazy, and you're like, I just did that dang thing. I'm like, never thought I would do that in a million, you know, when I did speed sport, I never they don't have that. But also RX, I did competed for three, I think three years, and I never had the guts to wear a swimsuit ever. But each year I gained more and more confidence and I was like, you know what, this is my year. And you know, there's gonna be people that don't like it. There is, it's just the way the world is, but you know, you can be you and be confident. So, but like you said, about there's no there are some people that do it for the wrong, you know, reasonings. And when I won Mississippi Sports Showcase, it was kind of some queen, pageant queens have given a bad rep for others. And so, you know, I was married, I have kids, you know, I'm not looking for those types of things. It wasn't for attention, it was it's all within good reasonings and just sharing my passion of motorsports with others. But there's definitely two sides to everything, and so I think that's my main thing is kind of changing the aspect of what pageant queens will say, you know, the bad rep of people.

SPEAKER_02 9:06

Yeah. And it looked like from what I saw, there was quite a number of ladies that were in the pageant.

SPEAKER_00 9:12

Yeah, so there was supposed to be 40 of us, I believe there were around 30. Yeah, that's a lot, and all yeah, it says men, it's all ages and all shapes, you know, and sizes, and I think that makes it even more because it's it's not all about what's on the outside.

SPEAKER_02 9:30

Oh no, and it shouldn't even be really much of anything about what's on the outside. I think the the speaking part is probably a bigger to me, it would be a bigger part because you're representing, you know, a group, absolutely, and yeah, and so I think and and the fact that you can look put together no matter what size you are.

SPEAKER_00 9:53

Yep, absolutely. And it's all into how you carry yourself, yes, for sure.

SPEAKER_02 9:59

So you you do the interview, the sportswear, and the swimsuit, and then do you have to do any kind of talent? Do you have to do any public speaking at all?

SPEAKER_00 10:09

Um, at so at Motorama, there is no public speaking unless you get to the top five, and then you have to explain why you'd like to be Miss Motorama. If you're doing more like RX racing extravaganza, you are pulling a question out of a hat and have no clue what you're gonna get. And of course, you I always pick the one that I don't want. That's how it all the hardest one. So, and then they also have on Friday night, you get to explain on stage why you'd like to be miss racing extravaganza.

SPEAKER_02 10:48

Okay, all right. And and so are there, do you know, are there a lot of pageants like this still going on like all over the country? Do you know whether that's going on or or not? Because I don't really hear about it very well.

SPEAKER_00 11:03

So I know there's quite a few racetracks, and I know it's coming back. There's quite a few racetracks that have their own, like Miss Lincoln Speedway has their own. There's Miss oh my gosh, Miss Mahoney Valley. They're trying. This will be, I think, their second year coming back with it. One of the girls I actually competed with was last year's. There's a Miss Evergreen, so there are quite a few. I think you just don't hear so much about it.

SPEAKER_02 11:32

No, so like Knoxville in Iowa, yeah, they have a pageant, you know, and that was really the one of the few that I had ever heard of, but that's a big deal there for sure.

SPEAKER_00 11:45

Yeah, absolutely. I've seen that.

SPEAKER_02 11:48

Yeah, that's really cool. So, you know, I know you met a lot of nice ladies in that. What keeps what what's gonna keep you going back and doing this again?

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Well, I did receive two awards this year. I was a celebrity choice recipient, and I also got the philanthropy award, which we actually walked around with buckets and sold tickets to win a Home Depot card and some Hershey Park tickets. And all the money was going this year for an autistic school in Harrisburg area. They are looking to build a playground that costs over$100,000. So I think the weekend we were able to raise over$7,000 towards the cost.

SPEAKER_02 12:35

That's awesome. So I have a heart for that because my youngest grandson is autistic. He's five now, but he's very high functioning, he's very smart. And because of him being born to my daughter and son-in-law, they actually opened an autism school for kids. I can't remember what the smallest age is, but it goes up to six years of old six years old, and they just opened their fifth one in the Phoenix area. That's how they have yeah, Phoenix, they have one in Phoenix, Mesa, I can't even remember Tucson, I think. So they just opened their fifth one, and we, you know, back when my kids were that age, you didn't really hear about autism.

SPEAKER_00 13:26

No, not at all.

SPEAKER_02 13:28

No, and so now you hear more about it, and thank goodness there are people like my daughter and son-in-law, yeah, who are willing to have these schools, and it's it's really amazing the success they have. My grandson goes to regular, regular preschool, kindergarten, you know, because of being able to go to that school and learn how to interact and all those things. And so, yeah, I that's great that you uh you guys did that.

SPEAKER_00 13:58

Yeah, yeah, so it was amazing. I was like, let's go. That you know, helping others is really something that's always on my heart, and I was always brought up to do that. So that brought a lot of joy to my heart this that weekend.

SPEAKER_02 14:14

I'm sure. Now, will you do it again? Absolutely, I I really would, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

I mean, not getting in the top five, but getting two awards out of that many women to me was such a win, and I was so excited because I really jumped out of my comfort zone that weekend. So, but my daughter was racing, so I got to still be involved in that. And so it was just we both got to come home with awards for Motorama. So that was a true win in my book.

SPEAKER_02 14:48

Yes. And what do they think about you being in a pageant?

SPEAKER_00 14:52

So my youngest was actually front and center, and I have a picture of her from the photographer. You could see me facing the crowd, and she is just grinning ear to ear, and so proud. And so that makes me, you know, I don't even know. I about half cried when I got on stage because my oldest was right at the end of the stage. So as soon as I went on, she's there waving and cheering me on. So they're behind me 100%.

SPEAKER_02 15:21

That's that's awesome. And you've got you've got great kids, so it's I'm not surprised that they that they do that. So what what else are you? I know your girls race. Do you have anything else that you want to do to be involved like in the motorsports and with kids at all? I know you know we've talked a little bit about some things that I was doing. So, Caitlin, what's your future look like? What are some things you want to do going down the road?

SPEAKER_00 15:50

Yeah, so I have come up with this idea and it's happening in the next couple of months. So be looking out. But I'm starting up, it's called Fearless and Fuel, and I'm gonna have two brands under it, one for youth and one for women. But there's really a need for helping the younger generation of drivers coming up through. And unfortunately, there's not a whole lot of sponsorship opportunities unless you have this big rap behind you. So I want to sponsor one girl and one boy a season. So much of the proceeds will go towards them. You know, it'll help my family, and I'll be able to help two other youth. So that's been a huge passion and wondering how I can help other drivers get involved.

SPEAKER_02 16:34

That's a great idea. Great idea for sure, because who doesn't want another t-shirt? Honestly, I don't have enough racing t-shirts. I mean, I I'd buy one in a heartbeat, you know, if it's racing and it's, you know, got a cool slogan on it. And and so, what a great idea for you to be able to reach out and and help like other kids. So, will they have to do some kind of essay or something? How will you choose?

SPEAKER_00 17:00

Yeah, that's probably what I'm gonna do. And I'm gonna have some other people that are very involved in racing help with my, it's not just gonna be my decision because I do know a lot of kids, and that wouldn't be fair. But yes, I'm gonna have some other people read over their essays and about what they're doing because to me, it's not just showing, winning on the track. There's so much more to it than you know, it's showing up and working on your equipment and being more involved with other things other than just winning races, right?

SPEAKER_02 17:35

And and it's also, you know, kids they need to learn a lot of things that I call life lessons that don't really have anything to do with how you drive your car. And so a lot of parents are good at that, good at teaching those life lessons, and then we have some that aren't. And so the fact that maybe through this program that you're gonna do, that you know, you can be able to share that you know, good sportsmanship and how to speak in public, and there's a lot of things that could come out of what you're going to do besides selling t-shirts, right? Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 18:12

I I want it to be kind of more like a partnership and working with them on all aspects of it.

SPEAKER_02 18:19

Yeah, for sure. So Caitlin, and then what's your little one's name?

SPEAKER_00 18:24

Gracelyn and Lizzie.

SPEAKER_02 18:27

Oh, yeah. Caitlin, you're Caitlin. Duh. I'm so it's the end of the day, people. I'm sorry. So Caitlin, we have Lizzie and Gracelyn. Now let's talk about them just for a minute because we don't want to hurt their feelings that we didn't talk about. Absolutely. Yeah. So tell me what do they race? Where do you race? Tell me about them a little bit so we can get them on the show too.

Lizzie And Gracelyn Start Racing

SPEAKER_00 18:50

Absolutely. So they race NASCAR Use series, and their home track is Hagerstown Quarter Image Association in Hagerstown, Maryland. Okay, and how old are they? They are six and nine.

SPEAKER_02 19:02

Yeah, six and nine. So you think, oh my gosh, they're that young, and they're how many years have they been racing? A little bit.

SPEAKER_00 19:11

Yeah, so Lizzie's been racing since she was five years old. She started out in a go-kart, and Graceland's been racing since she's about three years old in the juice box division, which is really it's really grown. It's crazy, you know. They run them at Daytona Cart Week, and so it's pretty cool. So they've been behind the wheel of something since they were under just five years old.

SPEAKER_02 19:36

Wow. And they love it.

SPEAKER_00 19:39

Absolutely. Yeah, so they're super, they've been around racing since they were even in my belly. But what's pretty awesome is how they're fourth generation drivers, but they're their first females in the family to get behind the wheel.

SPEAKER_02 19:54

Yeah. And you know, it's one thing to have two or maybe even three generation, but four generation drivers are few and far between anymore nowadays.

SPEAKER_00 20:05

Absolutely.

Life As A Racing Mom

SPEAKER_02 20:07

Yeah. So what does it take to be a mom of kids that race? Because, you know, there's a lot to it, and there's a lot to keep track of. So, what is what is your responsibilities as a mom to make sure that things go well for your daughters?

SPEAKER_00 20:24

Well, in our life, it's even crazy because they're actually both medical kids. So, you know, I have an Graceland's and autoimmune disorder kid, and then Lizzie was born with a clef-lipping palate. So not only are we overcoming that, but they're getting behind the wheel, and it takes so much grit and passion. And I keep saying all the time, you know, Lizzie will get upset sometimes because she's slower. Or, like, you know, I'm like, but listen, you're a girl in motorsports, and those boys out there have no fear. And I keep trying to tell her that, you know, girls are built differently, but it doesn't make them any less of a driver. So, but it's long weekends, long, long weekends. It's my husband's working on his race car in the shop, so I'm helping work on their quarter midgets to make sure they're ready for the weekend. So a lot of maintenance, making sure snacks and drinks, and because they start at like nine in the morning sign-ins and we're there all day. So I'm just the cheerleader and the coach at the quarter midget track, and they're everywhere. So the kid, you know, they're like little pit lizards. If you know what trailers they're at, though.

SPEAKER_02 21:38

Yeah, yeah, because they have their special group of friends there, don't they?

SPEAKER_00 21:42

Yes, absolutely. And it's pretty cool though. There's so many girls down at the track, and you're seeing it grow every year. So it's really neat.

SPEAKER_02 21:52

Yeah, it ha it it does grow every year. It just amazes me when I think back to 2017 when I started. This there were a good number of women and girls, and the first time I went to, I'm I'm not a huge drag race fan, I'm more so now than I ever was, but I really never grew up around drag racing. So the first time I went to US 131 Motorsports Park, which is not that far from me, and all of the little girls that race junior dragsters, I could not believe it. And so I was thinking, wow, I knew there were a lot of women involved, but not this many. And it just keeps growing and growing.

SPEAKER_00 22:40

Yeah, absolutely. It's really amazing to see it because you know, I've been around motorsports my entire life. Did I ever think I'd be behind the wheel? No, not really. But so it's pretty cool. I started racing go-karts, and that's actually how Lizzie learned how to wheel her go-kart is a local track would let us come up and she'd just laugh, she'd make laughs, she'd follow me. And, you know, so I think it's just amazing to see how far it's grown.

SPEAKER_02 23:10

Yeah, I do too. It's a good sport for little girls and women, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 23:15

It teaches them a lot. You know, it takes a lot of grit and passion. And my girls are, you know, stuff wasn't just given to them, you know. Lizzie, she wanted to start her own baked goods and jewelry, and so she helped raise funds when she wanted to move up the go-karts. And I think it teaches them to one be responsible, but grateful for what they have because you know, not all kids have the opportunity. So I think it's really cool that I'm able to do it for my girls.

SPEAKER_02 23:48

Yeah, yeah. And and I know that they're grateful because they, like you said, they have helped to to make their own way. And you know, I I love when I see and talk to little girls and you know, older girls too. When I ask them, Do you work, do you work on the car? And sometimes the answer is, well, my dad won't really let me.

SPEAKER_00 24:13

Well, my girls are mad. Lizzie gets mad if you know there's nothing for her to do on her car.

SPEAKER_02 24:18

So yeah, and and then there's and then there's dads who are like, oh no, you're gonna learn how to do all of this. If you're gonna drive, you have to learn how to take care of your car, and that is such a benefit to those kids.

SPEAKER_00 24:32

Yeah, I think it really helps them understand all aspects because yeah, your kid can show up and drive, but they're not learning what it truly takes to be that, you know, respectable driver and know every in and out of their car. It makes you a better driver, right?

SPEAKER_02 24:51

And the cost too, you know, if if they're selling baked goods or t-shirts or whatever they might do, mow lawns or whatever to earn money, and then they you know, they think, oh, I earn$50. Whoo, that's a lot of money, until they go to buy tires, yep, or something, and then it they realize at an earlier age how far that doesn't go and how they work for it.

SPEAKER_00 25:18

My girls have their own account for their racing, so all their sponsorship and everything goes in there. Lizzie goes to the bank and deposits it and knows every aspect of you know what's going on in her racing, which I think you know, she's only nine, so she probably doesn't truly understand everything right now, but down the road, I think she'll really, you know, she's gonna blossom and it's gonna be really cool to watch.

SPEAKER_02 25:44

Yeah, it absolutely is. Well, Caitlin, what have we not talked about that you want to share? Either about your journey, the pageants, your girls. I feel like I haven't asked you enough questions because I kind of know I kind of know you and your story. So what have I not asked you about?

Youth Clubs And Track Outreach

SPEAKER_00 26:03

Um, well, a couple other things I'm involved in is I'm on the Mid-Atlantic Junior Race Club, and so that's pretty cool. We have a lot of field trips coming up and planned to different drivers' shops, and so it's really neat. We're going to Kyle Lear here, I think in two weeks already. The weather canceled it a couple times, but that's cool because it's another way I'm involved with the youth. Last year.

SPEAKER_02 26:34

Let's back up. Sorry I interrupted you. So you take them to somebody's shop and they talk to the kids about whatever it is.

Lizzie Snuggles For Clefts

SPEAKER_00 26:40

Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Show them their cars, go over different aspects and learn about the different divisions and racing. They went to a legends shop a not too long ago. Now we're going to the late mall shop. So it's kind of cool because they can see where they want to be someday too as they grow out of the smaller, you know, divisions. So I'm involved in that. That's pretty exciting to be asked to be on the board this season. Last year, Lizzie and I actually hosted two big Easter egg hunts at two different tracks. So that was really cool. I feel like the more we do, the more outreach, because they are the next generation of drivers. So we have to keep the youth involved. But I'm just always looking at the future. And I love helping others. So, and Lizzie makes me super proud. So does Grace, but Grace is still kind of little, so she's still learning things. But through Lizzie's snuggles for clefts and helping other kids, we've sent packages all over. We're actually this week, we're taking packages to children's hospital of Pittsburgh, where Lizzie doctor's at. They're gonna have some in clinic for new families that come in. So that's been a dream of her since she was five, is to help other kids. And so it's not just what we do at the track, but but Lizzie makes me super proud. Mom, when she was five, she started up Lizzie Snuggles for Clefts to help other kids, and we've sent packages all over. And it really came from the racing community, was so involved when we had her. They were sending us gift cards because we were weekly at children's, and no one ever asked for something, but there was just always our friends at the track lending a hand. So we host events that we haven't had one in a year just because Lizzie's had some big surgeries and my other daughters had some medical issues, but we'd host and we have baskets and we would give awards to all the drivers, and it's truly grown. So the Lizzie Snuggles for Clef's brand that she has built has come from racing, and now we bless all other families. And we've actually blessed a couple of families that are part of the racing community too that have reached out to us and actually have cleft kids. So I didn't really know how many cleft kids there were in the world till I had my own. And it's not just a one surgery and done, it's ongoing procedures. She's going on surgery number 13 here in April. And I think it's really made her tough, very tough at a young age. So she's such an over overcomer. So, like the racing and the grit, and it just all fits together. But that's our passion. And we're gonna be taking packages here to UPMC Children's Pittsburgh this week to have in their clinic for some local families. So when their kids come in or they learn they're having a cleft child, they're prepared. But it has a book and a blanket. And eventually we're my husband's aunt is actually a she writes books. So my plan in the future is actually to have a book that Lizzie's involved in to put into our packages. But for right now, they have a bear, a book, and some toiletries for upcoming surgeries and stays. So it's pretty cool. You know, it's not just about our motor sports life, but outside of that, we're also always helping other people.

SPEAKER_02 30:27

Yeah, I love that you do that. And you know, I I along with that, I'm sure that you'd be willing to accept people who maybe want to help or give some donations for that. Maybe they have a grandchild with a cleft palette, and it's just hard to say where where would they get a hold of you? So if they wanted to send you something.

SPEAKER_00 30:48

You can find us on Facebook. We actually have a closed group just because we do post families and pictures, and I just know how social media is. So it's called Lizzie Snuggles for Clefts on Facebook. It's a closed group. You add, I will add you in, but it's kind of a safe haven for these kids and families because people can be mean, they really can. Lizzie's been bullied, and so this is our way of doing outreach, but still keeping it closed. And as far as donations, we do have it's a PO box 411 in Somerset, Pennsylvania, 15501. So any donations can also be sent there.

SPEAKER_02 31:33

That's awesome, and I encourage anybody that's listening, and it doesn't have to be a lot, it's just you know, go to the dollar store, get some little toiletries, you know, get some colored pencils and a coloring book, just anything that you could put into a packet for a child. And like I said, they don't all have to be the same, you know. I don't know how you do it exactly, but I think everyone could be different if that's what you had.

SPEAKER_00 32:00

Yeah, absolutely. Every we try to just match kind of by the age group of the child we're dealing with. So some older kids, but it's definitely an ongoing process, and a lot of people don't understand that. They're like, oh, it's just that want. I'm like, no, it's really not. It's you know, Lizzie has hearing aids, she has hearing it loss, she has we've gone through speech therapy and occupational therapy, so it's really an ongoing process as they grow.

SPEAKER_02 32:28

Yeah. And in as kid with kids that have those kinds of things, as they grow, things change, and that's why she has to have so many surgeries, right?

SPEAKER_00 32:39

Yep. So keep her in your prayers. April 29th, we're going back in for surgery, so it's gonna be the same procedure she's had before, but unfortunately it didn't take so okay, all right, and then there's that, right?

SPEAKER_02 32:53

You know, you think you're gonna have it fixed and then you have to do it over. I mean, it's just it's life, Caitlin. Unfortunately, it it seems that it's unfair for Lizzie and Gracelyn, and yet they're they're using those things that they're dealing with to help others. And how can you how can you not be so proud and want to be a part of that when you see little girls who are helping others?

SPEAKER_00 33:21

I had Lizzie so young, and you know, I didn't know what I was getting to into at that time, but it's really I think it's grown me into the person I am today. And would I have had the guts years ago to get on stage? Absolutely, absolutely not. But you know, if my daughter can live day to day with all this stuff, then it just makes me look at life totally different. Yeah, yeah. And you know, I actually had a mom one day at basketball practice, she's like, I don't know how you do it. And I'm like, I don't know either. But you just put that smile on you, you know, you have no other choice but to be that positive person for them in that safe space. So yeah, it's grown me as a person, and it's I mean, even them, you know, Lizzie is just them and Gracelyn, they're just but the most loving people, and it makes me so proud to be their mom.

SPEAKER_02 34:19

Yeah, and it makes me proud to know you guys.

SPEAKER_00 34:22

So I'm I'm glad I'm looking over here half tearing up talking about it.

SPEAKER_02 34:26

Yeah, I know, and so um I'm so glad that I ran across Lizzie, I think is how I found her, and then I met you guys, and so it makes me proud to know that there's people out there that want to help others, even besides what they're going through themselves, and so that's yeah, when it's pretty cool, is so not to like keep you, but no, it's fine.

Advocacy Hearing And Finding Voice

SPEAKER_00 34:50

Lizzie got to go, she met Kyle Petty, and he actually invited, he said, Have you ever been to camp? We were just on his ride, we just went to you know, give our support on the ride, and it was it came through Bedford PA, and he's like, She had a sign up and just said, Thanks for helping kids like me, and that's all she wanted, you know, was to say thank you and give our you know part. And he was like, Have you ever been there? He's just like, No, well, she applied, and long story short, but she got in last year, and it was it's so insane to be on the taking side of things because we're so used to giving that it felt so strange, but she has grown so much from being able to be around kids that you know have we'll say not disabilities, but kind of like her, it is a disability, but so it's pretty cool, and hopefully she has her application in, so she's really hoping to get to go back, and yeah, it's grown her confidence too being around other kids.

SPEAKER_02 35:58

Oh, I'm sure because you know, there's times I'm sure they think that they're the only ones because there's not a whole room full of kids at school that look like that, or do you deal with that?

SPEAKER_00 36:09

She's actually an ambassador for Victory Junction, so it's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_02 36:13

That's very cool, and we can't forget she was a racing for heroes.

SPEAKER_00 36:19

Yeah, she was a Who's Your Tire Hero for 2025, and she was actually the youngest that's received the awards.

SPEAKER_02 36:26

So I think that's where I first saw her, was on the stage that day, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 36:31

So and she's like so humble, like she was so excited, but yet she's so humble, and she's not one to like just throw something in your face, which makes me even more proud because like yeah, she's super excited though, and it was really cool opportunity, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 36:49

And I if I remember correctly that day, she she didn't have a word to say on the stage.

SPEAKER_00 36:56

She was unspoken, yes.

SPEAKER_02 36:58

She was there, and she was in pr she was present, but she was not verbal, she did not want to talk.

SPEAKER_00 37:07

She's really she even since she did the podcast with you, she's finally starting to come out of her shell. And I've been trying to do like some small clips for our Facebook page and social media.

SPEAKER_01 37:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 37:19

And I'm like, listen, you're not live, so it doesn't matter how many times it takes you to get out what you want, but this is how you become better at you know, speaking. And honestly, it took nine years for us to get a second opinion on her hearing. We've always just been told she has hearing loss. Okay, but we're nine years old now, and nothing's gonna get better, nothing's gonna change. So we got a second opinion, and her speech and everything, her grades, everything, she's excelling so much. So it's just pretty cool that you know it's just she's cut overcome so much, and yeah, so I'm excited about this next step and hearing her speak more because it's changed so much.

SPEAKER_02 38:09

Oh, yeah, and you know, shame on those doctors for not suggesting something different or a second opinion. And you know, you you just think if you can't hear something, then how do you know how to say it or all those things? It all works together. God made us so that all of our parts work together, and she just needed a little encouragement and maybe a different doctor, a different therapist.

SPEAKER_00 38:37

You have to be an advocate, you know. You definitely have to be an advocate for your kids.

SPEAKER_02 38:42

Absolutely, absolutely for yourself as well, but especially for your kids, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:47

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 38:48

Well, Caitlin, thank you for sharing about your family.

SPEAKER_00 38:52

No, thank you so much for having me on the show.

SPEAKER_02 38:55

I just I I love your guys, I love your family, I follow you all the time. I I'm one of your stalkers, you know, but um that's okay, I love it. So you take care of those girls and you tell them that I said hello and let's stay in touch as I know we will. And and if anybody out there can help donating just some items for these kids that come into the hospital. And if you're you know, if you don't live in Pennsylvania, you live in in Ohio or Nevada or somewhere else, check with your local children's hospital and see if they have any way that you can help. And and we all need to reach out and help in some way or another.

SPEAKER_00 39:38

Yeah, there's so many hospitals and you know, so many different divisions, and there's so many kids that need help out there.

SPEAKER_02 39:44

They do, they do. Well, Caitlin, thank you again. I hope you have a great evening and tell your family that I said hello and please stay in touch.

SPEAKER_00 39:54

Thank you, Melinda. Have a blessed night. All right.

Final Thanks And Stay Connected

SPEAKER_02 40:00

That's it for this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast. We hope you've been inspired by the stories I shared today and feel more connected to the amazing community of women in motorsports. Remember, whether you're behind the wheel, in the pit, or hearing from the fans, your story matters. And together, we're driving change and celebrating every milestone. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who loves Motorsports as much as you do. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, behind the scenes content, and more incredible stories. So until next time, stay inspired, stay connected, and keep racing through life. This is the Women's Motorsports Network podcast, where every woman story is worth celebrating.