Sonoma's Westerman Promotes Girl Power Racing

A trip to the dragstrip makes for a fun afternoon … and it's a lot better than getting a speeding ticket.

Sonoma's Melissa Westerman, 28, will line up with her '66 Mustang at Infineon Raceway's quarter-mile this week to kick off this season's Wednesday Night Drags. The races are open to everyone with a vehicle and a driver's license. Practice runs begin at 4 p.m. with racing from 5-10 p.m.

Hundreds of Bay Area drivers arrive at Infineon Raceway every Wednesday with their motorcycles, Mustangs, pickup trucks and minivans for a shot at the crown. High school students can beat the law when they go head-to-head with area sheriffs and police officers in the Top the Cops feature.

Westerman is a big fan of giving teen drivers a place to test their limits.

"I got a speeding ticket in my Mustang the first week I had my driver's license. My dad wanted to find a safe environment for me to drive and that's where all started. I still race that car," said Westerman, who's been racing for the past 16 years.

Westerman also races in the highly competitive Summit ET Bracket Drags series and was a semifinalist at Infineon on Feb. 6. In addition to her classic muscle car, Westerman races her Girl Power Top Dragster at 200 mph in NHRA events. She'll be at the NHRA regional event (July 22-24) and the national FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals (July 29-31).

"Just the rush and the whole game of bracket racing is exciting," Westerman said. "I'm not the best and that keeps me going. I want to do better."

Her father, Steve, also races a Dodge Dart on occasion.

Dragstrip manager Georgia Seipel has been the heart and soul of drag racing at the popular track. Seipel, who refers to many of the drivers as her family, has watched that family grow since Wednesday Night Drags began in 1988.

Her own drag racing experience began when her husband Ted dared her get behind the wheel more than 30 years ago. Their son, Kyle can claim to be one of the top drivers on the West Coast, but he got his start in the Wednesday Night Drags.

Seipel is always excited at the start of a new season, but she's particularly happy to see more women getting involved.

"I tell people to just go out there and go try it," Westerman said. "They welcome anybody to race as long as they have a license and a car that passes inspection. It's great fun and it's not racing on the street. … There's a great group of people out there."

All Summit ET Bracket Drags and Wednesday Night Drags are broadcast live on www.1320go.com.

2011 Infineon Raceway Major Events:

AMA West Coast Moto Jam, May 11-15

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, June 4-5

NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 24-26

NHRA Div. 7 Drag Races, July 22-24

Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals, July 29-31

Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, Aug. 26-28