Sara Christian facts for kids

Sara Williams Christian (born August 25, 1918 – died March 7, 1980) was a brave and skilled American stock car racer. She made history as the first woman driver in NASCAR, which is a famous car racing organization.

Sara Christian's Racing Journey

Sara Christian loved to race cars. She competed at a track called Looper Speedway. This old racetrack is now under the water of Lake Lanier. Sara won at least one race there. She drove a car owned by Max Looper, who ran the track. Max's nephew, Edwin Looper, remembered her win. He said her victory "made all the men mad too, her being a woman and all, and winning the race."

Making History in 1949

Sara Christian was part of NASCAR's very first race. This big event happened on June 19, 1949. It took place at Charlotte Speedway. Sara started the race in 13th place. She drove the number 71 Ford car. Her husband, Frank Christian, owned the car.

During this first race, another driver, Bob Flock, took over Sara's car. His own car had engine trouble. Sara's car later got too hot, but they still finished 14th.

Three Women Racers at Daytona

Sara Christian raced again on July 10, 1949. This time it was at the Daytona Beach Road Course. She finished 18th in this race. This event was special because it had three women drivers. Besides Sara, Ethel Mobley (Bob Flock's sister) and Louise Smith also competed. It was the first NASCAR race with three women.

Sara's husband, Frank, also raced in this event. He finished sixth. Sara and Frank were the only married couple to race in NASCAR until 1986. That's when Patty Moise and Elton Sawyer raced together. Patty and Elton later got married in 1990. They continued to race against each other for many years.

First Top 10 Finish for a Woman

Sara Christian achieved another milestone at the fourth race. This race was held at Langhorne Speedway. Sara finished sixth, earning her first Top 10 finish. This made her the first woman to ever get a Top 10 in NASCAR. The race winner, Curtis Turner, even invited Sara to celebrate with him.

Ethel Mobley and Louise Smith also raced in this event. It was the last time three women competed in a NASCAR race for a long time. It wasn't until July 4, 1977, that three women raced again. Those drivers were Janet Guthrie, Christine Beckers, and Lella Lombardi.

Highest Finish in NASCAR's Top Series

Sara Christian had her best race at Heidelberg Raceway. This track is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She finished fifth in this race. This was the highest finish ever for a woman in NASCAR's top series. Today, this series is known as the NASCAR Cup Series.

While other women have won races in smaller NASCAR series, Sara's fifth-place finish remains the best in the main Cup Series. For example, Shawna Robinson won a race in a different series in 1988.

Sara Christian raced in six of the eight events in the 1949 season. She ended up finishing 13th in the final points standings. This was a great achievement for her first year.

1950 Racing Season

Sara Christian raced in only one event in 1950. She finished 14th at the Hamburg Speedway. After this race, she decided to retire from racing.

Awards and Recognition

Sara Christian's pioneering efforts in racing were recognized:

• She received the 1949 United States Drivers Association Woman Driver of the Year award.
• She was honored by being inducted into the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame in 2004.