Kristen Yeley won the Better Half Dash Thursday afternoon as the women of NASCAR took over the racing duties for the fourth annual event organized to raise money for various charities.
The women proved to be just as competitive as their counterparts as they battled for the win in their bandoleros on the quarter-mile frontstretch of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The husbands and boyfriends served as crew chiefs and spotters in probably the most competitive Better Half Dash we’ve seen since its inception. They put on a show with lots of beating, banging and wrecking but only got eight laps in of the scheduled 25 laps due to numerous cautions before the 25 minute time limit expired.
Yeley, wife of Sprint Cup driver J.J. Yeley, was the fastest qualifier on Monday and noted that her previous three years’ experience made her “a lot more comfortable. I need to find my groove a little bit, she explained. “But when I do, I’m completely comfortable and I know my limits.”
That experience finally paid off Thursday with a victory.
“It feels pretty good, I’ve been waiting for this for four years. I came close last year,” Yeley said.”
Yeley earned $10,000 for charity with $2,500 each going to Speedway Children’s Charities and Motor Racing Outreach (MRO). The remaining $5,000 went to “Yantz’s Son is Back Foundation,” a charitable organization that advocates for organ donation.
Heidi Stoddard, who is married to NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard, came in second followed by MRO representative Melanie Self. Ashton Bayne, wife of Nationwide Series driver Trevor Bayne, who won the pole position by raising the most money for her charity, finished in fourth followed by Adriene Pattie in fifth.
Complete Finishing Order:
- Kristen Yeley-wife of NASCAR driver J. J. Yeley
- Heidi Stoddard-Wife of NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard
- Melanie Self-Representing Motor Racing Outreach
- Ashton Bayne – Wife of NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne
- Adriene Pattie-Wife of NASCAR crew chief Brian Pattie
- Jenna Robinson-Wife of NASCAR pit crew member Clay Robinson
- Jordan Fish-Girlfriend of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin
- Karlee Hensley-Fiance of NASCAR driver-Dakoda Armstrong
- Ashley Allgaier-Wife of NASCAR driver Justin Allgaier
- Ashley Stremme-Wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme
- Amy Reimann-Girlfriend of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
