[Editor's note: Carol Fitzgerald continues her look at the people of NASCAR, today focusing on the ladies who have run at the sport's highest levels. -JB]

There have been more than a dozen women who have raced in Nascar's Cup series, from Sara Christian, who raced in the inaugural "Strictly Stock" race in Charlotte in 1949, to Shawna Robinson, who drove her last Cup race in 2002, and her last Busch/Nationwide series race in 2005. Women draw interest in Cup racing simply because of their gender, but every single one of them works just as hard -- if not harder -- than their male counterparts to prove they belong.

Of all the women who have run in NASCAR -- and there are more on the way -- by far the most successful has been Janet Guthrie. Guthrie ran 33 Cup level races between 1976 and 1980, but was plagued by equipment problems and bad luck. One of the most eventful races in her portfolio was the Talladega 500 in August 1977. She outqualified the likes of Richard Petty, Johnny Rutherford, David Pearson, Bill Elliott, Neil Bonnett, Buddy Baker, and Ricky Rudd. All appeared set for a race of historic proportions.

But it wasn't to be. In Turn 1 of the first lap, another car's driveshaft came through her windshield! After the windshield was replaced, Guthrie's engine blew. Ouch.

Nonetheless, Guthrie managed to win the respect of drivers like Cale Yarborough, Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti. Richard Petty opined in 1978 that, "If she had a better ride, she'd probably win one of these [Cup] events."

And now we have young Chrissy Wallace, who finished a respectable 13th in the Mountain Dew 250 Truck race at Talladega. Chrissy has a terrific pedigree and Tony Stewart in her corner; she kept all her fenders intact and managed not to be near the inevitable Big One. Who could ask for more? Maybe she'll be the first woman to climb into a ride in Cup and bring home a win!

Janet Guthrie [Official Site]
Chrissy Wallace bests dad Mike in history-making run at Talladega [Scene Daily]

Related: Tony Stewart