More Than Just a Pretty Face (Page 3)

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 |

After two runs, Münter was the 24th fastest of 59 cars with a top speed of 177.644 mph. “It took me six years to get from short tracks to Daytona,” she says. “It was a huge accomplishment.”

Looking Ahead

At the time this story was written, Münter was weighing her options for the rest of 2007. “I want to move into the ARCA series,” she says. “In fact, I’ve gotten offers from some really great Cup teams, and I would be in excellent equipment that would definitely put me in a position to make history as the first woman to win a major stock car race.”

But Münter reveals she’s also considering offers outside of the stock car world. She recently made somewhat of an unexpected move, kicking off her fenders to try out open-wheel racing. Münter completed her rookie test and earned her Indy Pro Series license in May.

“Obviously, my career has been focused entirely on stock cars — that’s what I know and what I’m comfortable with,” she says, “But I jumped when the 
opportunity to try open wheel came about. I’m ready and anxious to learn.”

Regardless of where she ends up racing, Münter feels that she and other women in racing have many more opportunities than their predecessors.

“When I first came on the scene in North Carolina, I’d get letters saying, ‘Why weren’t you at practice? Were you doing your hair?’” she says. “That probably wouldn’t have happened to a guy. But, over the last few years, more doors have opened for women in racing. Now, race teams are realizing how much media attention — and with that, sponsorship dollars — can come from a woman doing well on the track. The timing is definitely better for me and the other women in the sport.”

Taking Charge of Vehicle Maintenance

Münter also hopes that what she and other women are doing on the track will inspire more women to not only follow racing but also learn more about cars. And she thinks shop owners are in a perfect position to educate women about their vehicles.

“Bringing her vehicle to be serviced can be intimidating for a woman who doesn’t know much about cars and, worse, who doesn’t even know what questions to ask,” Münter says.

She adds that educating female — and male — customers about their vehicle repairs or maintenance by explaining the process can help build trust. The ACDelco Automotive Systems Guide can help customers learn about the major components of their cars or trucks and the signs that they may be wearing out. The illustrations in the guide can also be used as an educational tool when a technician is explaining a problem to a customer.

Additional basic vehicle maintenance information, a trouble shooting guide and safe driving tips are available in the 16-page “Knowledge Is Power” informational brochure (AM-BR-0361-06). Ask a service center carrying ACDelco parts if they have this brochure or can order it for you.

Learn more about Leilani at www.leilanimunter.com

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 |