RRDC member Lyn St. James, along with Debby Knox of WISH-TV, emceed the ninth annual Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation award celebration in Brownsburg, Ind., on Sept. 1.

The Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation was founded by St. James, who has dedicated much of her life after retiring from racing to help women achieve their goals and aspirations in the motorsports field.

The event was attended by many motorsports dignitaries and VIPs and showcased some of the best female racers currently competing in the world's top motorsports leagues, including ARCA, IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA and USAC.

The award winners included NHRA's Shirley Muldowney, who took home the Mildred Marcum Pioneer award, along with Kim LaHaie Richards, who received the C&R Racing Woman in Technology Award, and Jessica Bean, winner of the USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award. Other awardees were Mazda Motorsports USA/Mazdaspeed and Roger Burgess of RB2B racing, who received the Racing for Opportunity Awards. The FIA Women & Motor Sport Commission was presented the Leadership Award and also honored was Danica Patrick who was given the 2011 Achievement Award.

Joining the Grand March were USAC Drivers Jessica Bean, Jessica Clark, Taylor Ferns; NHRA racers Alexis DeJoria, Peggy Llewellyn, Taylor Myers, Erica Enders, Leah Pruett, Karen Stoffer, Melanie Troxel, Samantha Coughlin; Indycar and DTM driver Katherine Legge, sprint car drivers Zoe Mattis and Miranda Throckmorton; kart and stock car drivers Tiffany Daniels, Natalie Fenaroli, and Julia Landauer.

"This was a wonderful event," said St. James. "I'm thrilled that so many female drivers were here to participate and to be honored. Their achievements are a strong endorsement of how perseverance and talent can take you to the top.

"I'd like to thank Don Schumacher Racing for providing their facility for the event, Josten's for producing the beautiful trophies, C&R Racing for sponsoring the event program, ad NHRA, IUPUI, GM, Mazda, IMS, NASCAR/ISC, Don Woodley, Vicki and Bill O'Connor for their support of this event."

Additional information may be found at http://www.lynstjames.com/foundation/

PHOTOS: Teresa Long