Driving through the Glass Ceiling: Alli Owens

Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another edition of "Driving through the Glass Ceiling," the Foxes in the Henhouse series profiling up-and-coming women in motorsports. Hope you enjoy!

Before Motocross and Supercross legend Ricky Carmichael left bikes to pursue a career in NASCAR, 20-year-old Alexandra (Alli) Owens was already well on her way.

Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Owens' was bitten by the racing bug early when, at age eight, she began racing BMX.

She was signed by Dan's Competition/Huffy Bikes as a factory driver, but stock car racing was always nearby.

"I remember sitting in elementary school and high school and we could hear the cars from the track [Daytona International Speedway]. We were that close and we were able to leave early some days so the buses could beat the traffic," Owens said.

Once she won the President's Cup and several races, Owens decided to take her chance and, at age 13, she set out to race on four wheels.

During her first season in the Dirt Pure Stock Division, she won two races and collected six top fives and eight top 10s. Out of 27 cars, Owens finished an impressive sixth in points.

In 2005, Owens moved from quarter midgets to late models.

Two years later, the National Labor Management Cooperation Committee, a joint entity of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, signed to sponsor Owens upon her move to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in North Carolina, along with continuing her late model career.

"I knew once I turned 16, I could do this. I separated myself from my age group and didn't get caught up in the party scene and I work very hard at what I do," Owens said.

The ride would ultimately lead to Owens joining D'Hondt Motorsports, where she currently drives in the ARCA RE/MAX series.

"We are proud to have Alli join D'Hondt Motorsports," D'Hondt said. "This is a great opportunity for all of us. We are all looking forward to representing and promoting ElectrifyingCareers.com and helping Alli reach the next steps of her own career goals."

The talented driver also chronicled her rookie ARCA season for RacingOne.com.

While she may not be afraid of the 43 stock-car field awaiting her in the Nationwide and Cup Series she hopes to reach someday, she did tell NASCAR.com last November her real fear.

"I don't know how to cook."

Owens' next race will be April 19, where she and the No. 19 D'Hondt Motorsports team will race in the Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway.

If you'd like more information on Alli's career, visit www.alliowens.com.

To learn more about her sponsors, check out www.ElectrifyingCareers.com.

Thanks to AlliOwens.com, NASCAR.com, and Sports.rightpundits.com for the information and quotes used in this piece.

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