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Last week it was Danica Patrick, who made racing history as the first woman to win in the IndyCar Series.

This week it's Ashley Force, who on Sunday, April 27, became the first woman to win an NHRA Funny Car final. Force, also the first woman to lead the Funny Car points chase, beat her legendary dad John in that historic final.

There's no better time than now to be a female driver in auto racing. And you don't have to look far to find some up-and-comers in the Dayton area.

Miamisburg's Shannon McIntosh and Megan Reitenour, and Franklin's Sloan Henderson have all enjoyed success and show no signs of slowing down.

McIntosh, 18, plans to run sprints at Limaland Motorsports Park on Fridays and jump in a Super Late Model on Saturdays during the summer. She's also working for the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Lowes Motor Speedway.

Reitenour, 16, won the Super Cup Stock Car Series' inaugural event at North Carolina back in March. She also plans to run some ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series events, which includes visits to Kil-Kare Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. She's also media savvy with cameo appearances in movies and is working on some television projects.

Henderson, 15, has moved up to KOIL Legends and after success at every stop prior. She has an eye on landing a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride.

Women are quickly knocking down the barriers in racing. Here's hoping those three — plus others with the same goals — keep gaining, too.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991 or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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