NASCAR: One-On-One With Jennifer Jo Cobb
How much do you really know about the drivers that compete in NASCAR every weekend and what it’s like to be them?
While fans might know everything about their favorite drivers by heart, fans most likely know much less about the other competitors that fill out the rest of the field every race weekend. One of those drivers is likely, Jennifer Jo Cobb, who despite showing great skill, poise and aggression behind the wheel, has been somewhat negatively labeled by the media for a series of bizarre incidents over the last couple of years.
With that being said, Beyond the flag recently sat down with Jennifer to discuss her racing career, her time working on cars with her father, and her thoughts on the changes made to the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series this year. If nothing else, this interview will hopefully change the way you view Jennifer Jo Cobb and her relentless pursuit towards a ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Brian Thornsburg: Your team unfortunately failed to qualify for the Nextera Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway did that affect your confidence at all and what did you and your team learn from the experience?
Jennifer Jo Cobb: It did not affect my confidence as a driver nor my confidence in my team but from a business standpoint (as a team owner) it definitely made me question if we could do this. We have always been a team without a proper budget to run up front but as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series becomes even more competitive with more teams with million dollar plus budgets, it will be harder for us to stay in the series without that kind of money to race. It is time to dig deeper off of the track and find the budget to be more competitive.
BT: You have accomplished several impressive feats during the course of your career, including highest finishing female driver in any NASCAR race, highest finishing female driver in the point’s standings and have made the top-five most popular driver list. What accomplishments do you hope to put on your résumé in the future?
JJC: I hope we can put winner on our résumé. We are truly hanging in there as a small budget team to grow up into a well-funded winning organization. Once we have the money to even the playing field I think we will surprise a lot of people.
BT: What are some of the challenges of being the only female owner/driver in the sport of NASCAR and what are some of the goals you have for your team this year.
JJC: The biggest challenge is standing out so when you make a mistake all eyes are on you. There are so many other drivers struggling for success but I feel like they can learn and grow more quietly. Our team is very popular, which is a good thing but it also brings about negative attention when things don’t go well. Sometimes I have days when I just want to be left alone to go do my best and if I fail, to be able to do it quietly. That is not an option though – everything we do is highlighted but that is ok because that means when we do well people notice that too! And we have an amazing fan base that supports us and our sponsors so that and that makes us more valuable. I have been able to make friends with other women in the garage area so that is so helpful to be able to lean on these women when things get tough.
BT: Do you believe that team owners, other drivers, and potential sponsors look at you differently because you are a woman?
JJC: Possibly, but I have been going to race tracks since I was a little girl and racing since I was 18 years old so by now I do not even notice.
BT: What are your thoughts on the new playoff format in The Camping World Truck Series and do you believe the new format will hinder or help you and your race team this season and in future seasons.
JJC: Until we can win the format likely will not affect us. As a fan of the series I think it is going to be fantastic!
BT: NASCAR fans have been in a frenzy over the new caution clock that was introduced in the truck series at the beginning of the year. What are your thoughts on it and do you believe it will help level the playing field more?
JJC: I am really surprised that fans aren’t excited about the caution clock. Cautions breed cautions and really shake things up and make for better, harder, side-by-side racing. We get Cup regulars in our field who just run away with the race and over green flag runs there becomes a smaller chance of anyone else catching them. I like racing with the Cup guys because I think it brings more attention to our series and that is good for all of us. But I don’t want to see them run away from the field either. As a driver it even gets a little boring when we are under really long green flag runs. Having a caution means being able to pit, adjust, restart and get another shot at gaining more positions. It is also helpful for small teams because our pit crew is not as experienced at green flag pit stops so that is a way the playing field is leveled.
BT: What else do you believe NASCAR can do to even the playing field and give smaller teams more of a chance on race day?
JJC: In May, NASCAR is introducing a new engine program to try to help reduce the cost of competitive engines and if it works out, that is a great step. Our next biggest expense is tires so I wish there was something we could do about that. We race on other teams old tires because we cannot afford a $12,000 tire bill over the course of a weekend (that about equals what we make to race). I think they are definitely trying to help and it is much appreciated.
BT: What are some of the biggest challenges facing you and your team this season?
JJC: Money is always a team’s biggest challenge. This is my 25th year racing and we would love to be able to partner with more companies as we talk about this accomplishment all year. We have a bigger social media presence than most teams (even many of the Sprint Cup drivers) so we have a lot to offer!
BT: Do you believe a win is in the cards for you this season, if so, what track do you think your team has the best chance at capturing a victory at?
JJC: In the draft magic can happen so Talladega would be the track that we would best have a shot to win a race.
BT: Are female drivers treated differently in the garage area and on the track and if so, has any of that changed since you started your career in the Xfinity series in 2004?
JJC: I think if people see that you work hard and have earned your way into the sport the respect follows. I feel respected by those who matter so therefore I feel confident at the track. I work hard to keep that respect in the garage and on the track.
BT: Your dad put his career on hold to help you get yours started. What that was like to have your dad as team owner and crew chief and what did you learn from the experience during that time?
JJC: Gosh, we had a lot of spats during the time my Dad was grooming me as a race car driver. He pushed me so hard and it was like he constantly wanted me to prove to him that I was willing to work hard enough to be a race car driver. I had to work, go to college full time and work on the race car ever single night. Looking back though, he did the right thing and he made me understand race cars and be tough enough to handle racing in the big leagues today.
BT: What are some of your favorite memories during the time that you were racing for your father and working on cars with him and the crew in the garage?
JJC: My dad taught me so many great lessons and when I figured out how to do something and really be helpful (change gears, shocks, pull an engine, etc) it felt really good. It is empowering.
BT: You mentioned during a speaking engagement that your father once told you to just stay between the lines, turn left and run your own line. How has that advice helped you not only with your racing career but in everyday life?
JJC: It helps tremendously. It is equivalent to just putting one foot in front of the other and not getting distracted.
BT: What made you want to get into public speaking and do you believe that your speeches have helped motivate people and change lives. If so, how?
JJC: I have spoken to audiences with almost a thousand people and before I speak I pray to God that perhaps I could touch just one life with my story of perseverance. Every time at least one person approaches me and tells me some way in which what I said touched them. It is very rewarding. Speaking is just something that came naturally for me and a long time ago someone pointed out that I could make money doing it, which meant more money to go racing, so I have pursued that ever since. Speaking reminds me see how far I have come and motivates me to keep digging.
BT: You have a pretty awesome promotion coming up where fans can be an honorary sponsor on your Camping world truck series car during this year’s Martinsville race. What gave you the idea for this promotion and what are some of the perks of being an honorary sponsor.
JJC: I can’t take credit for this. We have a great business development associate, David Pack, who got together with Vapor Station to create the cool promotion. You can visit www.WestsideVapor.com for the details.
BT: Despite multiple setbacks not only this year but in years past, you always seem to have a positive outlook on things. How have you managed to maintain that positive attitude after all the setbacks in you’ve faced?
JJC: It takes discipline to be positive. Trust me, there are days I am buried in my pillow feeling very down. I have to let that take its course and then remember that through every single setback I have emerged better than before. It takes faith and discipline. I like to read a lot and I read about others who have persevered. Reading is like taking vitamins for your attitude.
BT: Tell us a little bit about your organization drivern2honor.org and what made you want to honor female army veterans in this way.
JJC: My Grandpa was a Marine and I wanted to be a Marine but I started racing when I was 18 so I never enlisted. I have always appreciated the sacrifices our military members make and thought I may have something in common with military women being in a male dominated environment. It has been great to get to know women all over the country who serve.
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BT: What is one thing you want fans, fellow drivers, car owners and potential future sponsors to know about you.
JJC: That I am appreciative of the support I receive. That I am just a person trying very hard to be successful at what she loves. That I want to take any amount of success I have and turn that into something good for others. That I am more like them than they think.
BT: It’s no secret that you are an inspiration to young girls everywhere for the barriers you have knocked down in NASCAR so far. What would you like to say to a young girl that might be reading this and dreaming of being a NASCAR driver one day too?
JJC: Start helping someone who is racing at a local level. Learn all you can. Don’t let excuses stand in your way. Don’t expect anyone to give you anything and believe that the impossible is possible.