SHEILA RANKIN BREAKS SUPER SPRINT BARRIERS
by Brian Spaid

May 10, 2003 

                Until the 1970s, women were not allowed in the pit area at speedways across America. There were a few occasions when women competed against men on the track, but they were rare.

As the sexual revolution and women’s liberation movements spurred changes throughout the country, the rules started to ease and women were gradually allowed into pit areas. Janet Guthrie and Shirley Muldowney were not the first female racers, but they broke several stereotypes in the sport. Guthrie qualified and raced in the Indianapolis 500 three times. Muldowney earned her fame on the quarter-mile drag strips of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

Female drivers are becoming more common nowadays, even in the Super Sprint ranks. Sarah Fisher graduated from the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints to the Indy Racing League (IRL). Erin Crocker, who raced at Tri-City Speedway on opening night, wants to follow Fisher’s footsteps to the IRL. She and car owner Mike Woodring intend to march in that direction this season as Crocker competes on the United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown Series.

Among the short list of female Super Sprint racers is one low-buck driver named Sheila Rankin of Renfrew, Pa. The daughter and sister of two well-known DIRT Modified racers, Rankin has raced the winged machines since 1994. Without extensive financing, she diligently works on her car and races weekly at Tri-City and Lernerville Speedway. Simply stated, racing is in her blood.

                “I enjoy the competition and the speed,” said Rankin. “I’ve been going to the race track since I was seven months old. I just love this sport.”

                The youngest of five children, Rankin, 35, grew up watching her father, Carl Murdick, race throughout western Pennsylvania. After her brother, Dave, started to race, she got the itch to compete too. Her father and her husband, Gary, supported her efforts. She raced for four seasons in the Six Cylinder Modifieds. Rankin then moved into the 360 Sprints when Hickory Speedway ran the class.

                “I really wanted to race sprint cars, and the 360 Sprints gave me the chance without spending a lot of money. Then, we started racing the car at other tracks like Lernerville, and I just moved into the Super Sprints over time.”

                Gary and Sheila Rankin still compete in the Super Sprints to this day. With little sponsorship, the husband and wife team manages to piece together a valiant weekly effort. Gary has shown flashes of brilliance on many occasions. Sheila’s best feature finish is a fifth at Mercer Raceway Park in 1997.

                “Sometimes it’s frustrating running a low-buck operation at the back of the pack,” she said, “but I’m just glad to be out there.”

                Currently, her sprinter is sponsored by Miano’s Welding and Muridk Auto Parts of Butler, Pa. Rankin, who works on the clerical staff at Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center in Butler, would like to obtain more sponsorship to finance a stronger team, but she admits that a certain bias still exists against female racers.

                “I’ve really pushed to get sponsors and things haven’t materialized. There are times when people will comment that it’s a man’s sport and a woman can’t do it. When I hear that, it makes me feel real disgusted. I’ve had moments when the car’s setup is perfect and luck’s been on my side, and I’ve had good runs. But, they still see you as a woman, not a race car driver.”

                Despite the prejudice off the track, Rankin finds her fellow competitors are behind her efforts.

                “Most of the other drivers are supportive. They’ll talk to me about setups and let me buy and sell used parts for a decent price. Rod George is especially helpful. I also like to joke with him because I’m the only other driver that can fit in his seat.”

                Driving an underfinanced 1995 Shaw chassis No. 6, it almost seems more sensible for Rankin to invest her dollars in a DIRT Modified to follow her father and brother’s success. However, Rankin is satisfied with her choice of race car.

                “When I was ready to move up from the Six Cylinder Modified, the competition in the DIRT Modifieds was tough, and I didn’t really want to struggle. Hickory started to run the 360 Sprints, and I thought that would give me the best chance at success. I’m really happy racing Super Sprints, and I look forward to it every weekend.”

                Rankin’s daughters, Jo, 16, and Bobbi, 9, also support their mother’s racing endeavors. Only Bobbi appears interested in racing sometime in the future, and the Rankins will support her if she wants too, especially Sheila.

                “I would just encourage her to keep trying and not get discouraged because of any discrimination.”

                Although Rankin often finds herself racing at the back of the pack, she has the heart and soul of a racer. And it doesn’t matter whether she’s male or female. When it comes to competition, speed and luck, racing is gender neutral.