The fastest woman in Alaska

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Being the first one isn’t always easy. To be the one who sets the path for others comes with its good days and bad days.

It can be especially hard when in your sports, you’re the only one in the entire state racing at the top level for dirt track racing.

Mady Stichal, the lone woman in the sprint car division in all of Alaska, had this to say about leading the charge for women in dirt track racing’s highest level. “It’s an honor to be the face of it, and just seeing all the girls come up to me, and they’re so shy, and so smiley when I say hey get in my car. Like jump in, and it brings joy to me and it makes me want to keep going and push myself further. Because I love seeing the smile on their faces and knowing they can be me someday.”

Being the first one to do it, and paying it back to those just getting started, is the best way. Helping them learn how to be better, and not experience the same setbacks, and gain the ability to keep moving forward. “It feels great, it’s good. I would love to see more girls out there, I definitely would. Right now, I’m helping with quarter midgets, there’s like five girls, and I can’t wait to see them grow to be a sprint car girl like me,” said Stichal.

Stichal added, “It feels really good. I feel pretty great about it. I love it, they all hate it, but it’s okay. We all talk a little talk to each other, but we have a good time about it.”

Being the only woman in an entire state, that races in sprint cars does have its challenges, but when you’re the best at your home track, it brings a lot of joy

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