Angela Ashmore’s story in motorsport is remarkable. She has achieved success in NASCAR, won the Indianapolis 500, and now holds the position of lead engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing, one of the top teams in the IndyCar paddock. Her accomplishments are not defined by her gender; they deserve recognition regardless. However, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that she is a successful woman in motorsport. By doing so, Ashmore becomes a visible role model for young girls who may not see motorsport as a viable career option or feel hesitant about entering a male-dominated industry.
Ashmore emphasizes the significance of her success for young girls who need to see a strong female figure thriving in motorsport. In the past, the only women visible in racing were those seen on the drivers’ arms, not in technical positions, on the pit crew, or on the timing stand. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to create more opportunities for women in the industry. Ashmore embraces the pressure she puts on herself to excel in her role and hopes that her success will inspire and encourage young women to pursue their dreams. She strives to be the best race engineer and aims to be remembered as one of the best in the field.
Previously serving as an assistant engineer to Brad Goldberg on the #8 car, Ashmore played a crucial role in ensuring the car’s performance, accuracy of data, and fuel strategy. As the lead engineer on a car now, she will shoulder even more responsibility, including making key decisions related to race strategy. Ashmore believes that race strategy is a differentiating factor in IndyCar’s current formula, and she discusses various aspects of it, such as tire strategies and setup differences between teams and drivers, in a podcast episode. Her experience as the lead engineer during testing of the new hybrid package will undoubtedly be valuable to the entire team.
Working with driver Armstrong, who was the rookie of the year in 2023, is an exciting prospect for Ashmore. Armstrong joined Ganassi after coming from Formula 2 and competed in road and street circuits in his first year. Alongside teammates Linus Lundqvist and Kyffin Simpson, Armstrong aims to live up to the standards set by multiple-time champions Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, who were the top two in the standings last year. Ashmore and Armstrong’s goal is to consistently finish in the top eight in every race, with the understanding that such consistent finishes would position them well in the championship. While their ultimate goal is to win races, they approach the season with realistic and achievable objectives.
Ashmore’s determination to succeed as a lead engineer is evident in the interview. She fully embraces the team’s winning mentality and has complete confidence in Armstrong’s abilities. Her journey, along with the performance of the #11 car, promises to be thrilling and captivating to watch throughout the year.
According to the Source the-race.com