Drag Racing Association of Women

               "Fast Help for Fast Friends"

 

 

 

 


 



DRAW's motto is "Fast Help For Fast Friends" and our sole mission is providing financial and emotional support to qualified individuals involved in a drag racing accident at a track

We helped 15 racers in 2024 paying $95,000 in aid an death benefits

Financial assistance paid 1985-2024 - $5,615,500
Number of families assisted 1985-2024 - 1028
DRAW Board of Trustees 2026-2027 Election
Below are listed the 8 nominations to fill 6 open seats on the Board of Trustees for 2026-2027
Please take the time to read each profile. These are people who have donated their time for many years to keep the Drag Racing Association of Women going strong, to provide financial and emotional support for injured drag racers and their families.
You must currently be a member of DRAW to vote
You can print an application form here Membership form
Information on how to submit your ballot is on the page with the ballot.

Sandra Alberti
Boise ID 83703
Draw Position(s) Held: none
Time donated to Draw or other volunteer activities: 5 hrs/wk
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: Rupert Motorsports, freelance photography
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2023: Pomona 1, Vegas 1, Sonoma, Chicago, Indy, Dallas
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2024: Gainesville, Chicago, Indy, Dallas
Current Employment: HDR
Computer Skills/Hobbies: Photography and social media
Any other information you would like us to know: I am passionate about drag racing and photography, and would love to combine the two to help create fresh social media content for DRAW!

Name: Vicki Aswege
Tempe, AZ 85282
Draw Position(s) Held: Past-Recording Secretary, Present-Treasurer
Time donated to DRAW or other volunteer activities: work the DRAW booth at several NHRA national events, work several hours a week on various Draw projects. National Event Booth Manager
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: Former team manager for a NHRA Pro Stock Bike team, work for Don Schumacher Racing hospitality,
facilitated Arizona Super Comp Assoc races for several years.
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2025: Pomona 1 &2, Phoenix, Vegas 1&2, Seattle, Sonoma, Indy, Dallas
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Same as 2025 or others if needed to work the DRAW booth.
Cactus Flower Florist—delivery driver
Computer Skills (optional): word, excel.
Hobbies(optional): Reading,
Any other information you would like DRAW to know: I am very
passionate about DRAW and honored to be a part of such a
worthwhile organization. I feel that my involvement with DRAW
helps to make me more compassionate. When I realized how many
racers DRAW has helped in 40 years, it makes me proud to say I am a member of DRAW.

Staci Cannon
Temple City, CA 91780
Draw Position(s) Held: Alternate Board Member 2025
Time donated to DRAW or other volunteers: Worked in the booth in 2025 for Pomona, Las Vegas, Dallas, Pomona. Worked my first Dallas Auction in 2025. Obtain promotional items for resale. Help where requested.
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: Administration for SCEDA – Southern California Drag Racing Association for several decades until the series stopped producing drag racing events in 2018. Hosted an AA/GD dinner for former racers/crew that has been attended by many in the Southern California area. Member of SEMA since 1980’s with our bracket association – SCEDA.
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2025: Pomona (2), Las Vegas (1), Phoenix, Dallas, Hot Rod Reunion Bakersfield
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Pomona (2), Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Gainesville, as many as needed to help with DRAW.
Current Employment (optional): Self-employed- promotional products and VoIP Telephone Services
Hobbies(optional): Drag racing doesn’t leave time for any other hobbies.
Any other information you would like DRAW to know:
I have been involved in the sport of drag racing in one form or another since the 1980s. My husband drove Super Comp for many, many years, then both Super Comp with my husband and junior drag racing with our son until he aged out of the program. Racing has always been a major part of our life. Our now adult son has worked, and continues to work, at race tracks. Some people take vacations, we went racing instead and we have made lifelong friends in the sport. Our entire family put all our effort into running the Southern California Drag Racing Association. Volunteered with Mail Terminal Services (MTS) when they had the program to
collect postcards to send to our troops. Worked in hospitality for DSR and then JCM at the track when requested. I have assisted DRAW in obtaining promotional items like lip balm, sunscreen, membership pins, hats, etc. through my promotional company, prior to joining the Board as an alternate in 2025. Drag racing has been our family life and focus for as long as I can remember and I hope to continue to help the mission of DRAW to help injured racers – “Fast Help for Fast Friends!”

Name: Olan Gotcher
Oak Leaf TX 75154
Draw Position(s) Held: Editor and Publisher DRAW Newsletter, Membership Secretary since 1987, and Board of Directors since 2009
Time donated to Draw or other volunteer activities: Travel to 6 Divisionals and at least 3 Nationals per Year
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: NHRA
NHRA Event(s) attended 2025: Dallas, Gainesville, Indy
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Dallas, Gainesville, Indy
Employment: Retired
Computer Skills (optional)_Excell, Word, Quark Express, Corel Draw, Photoshop
Hobbies: Drag Racing
Any other information you would like us to know: Editor and Publisher of DRAW Newsletter since 1987, keep the membership up to date on computer, Been on the Board of Directors for 8 Years Joined DRAW in 1986. Retired from NHRA after 37 Years of working Divisions 4 and 5 as Tower Coordinator and usually 7 to 8 Nationals each Year. Put into NHRA Division 4 Hall of Fame in 2024 and named as a Texas Motorplex Legend in 2024.

Name: Connie Sutton
Boggstown, In. 46110
DRAW position(s) held: member, volunteer & Board Member 2025
Time donated to DRAW or other volunteers: Assisted in managing DRAW booth at Atlanta race 2018 & 2019; Norwalk race 2021; worker in the booth at multiple events in Joliet, Indy, Gainesville; worker at the Gainesville golf tournament 2024; 2025 Organized the Kelly Eckart Memorial 5K walk/run 1999-2006 (raising
$125,000+for an endowed scholarship at Franklin College, Indiana). Organized the Inaugural Shelby County Victims Rights Memorial Service.
Drag racing Affiliation if any: None
NHRA events attended in 2025: Gainesville, Joliet, Indy
NHRA events planning to attend in 2026: Gainesville, Joliet, Indy and possibly Dallas
Current Employment: Financial counselor at local hospital
Computer skills: Computer use for employment
Hobbies: Drag racing
Any other information you would like Draw to know: I have volunteered with DRAW at multiple races, working in the booth and golf tournament since 2017. I have come to know the board members, the volunteers and several of the racers.
I strongly believe in the mission of DRAW and I want to be more involved in giving Fast Help to Fast Friends.

Debby Thompson
Fairland, IN 46126
Draw Position(s) Previously Held: Board member 1997-2005, 2015-Present; Indianapolis Raceway Park Track Rep
1997-Present; DRAW Historian 1997-Present; Indy Auction Donation Coordinator 1991-2001; Write column for
DRAW Newsletter & The History Lesson 2012-Present.
Time donated to Draw or other volunteer activities: Attend 3 Board meetings at National events and local IRP races, help with the National DRAW booth where needed, writing articles for the DRAW newsletter, calling committee for injured racers.
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: Bracket racer and SuperComp racer 1978-2008
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2025: Gainesville, Chicago, Indy, Dallas
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Gainesville, Chicago, Indy, Dallas
Current Employment (optional): Retired medical transcriptionist
Computer Skills (optional): Work-related computer use
Hobbies (optional): Music and drag racing
Any other information you would like us to know: Drag racing will always be a part of my life. From spectator to racer/driver, back to spectator and supporter, I will always endeavor to give back to the sport. I know firsthand about suffering through a racing accident, although I was lucky not to suffer any long-term effects. This gives me a different perspective of the sport and what drivers may feel. It is important to me to share and care and be some support where I can through DRAW.

Yokie Van Vallis
Draw Position(s) Held: Vice-President, Secretary, Press Secretary,
Membership Cards
Time donated to DRAW or other volunteers: As much as needed
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: None
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2025: Norwalk, Indy & Dallas
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Gainesville, Indy & Dallas
Current Employment: Bagel Master
Computer Skills: Medium
Hobbies: Golf & crafts
Any other information you would like DRAW to know: We no longer race but still believe in all that DRAW does!

Name: Yvette Williams
Draw Position(s) Held: Serve as a Board Member or Alternate
Time donated to DRAW or other volunteers: When able & any fundraisers or any duties if needed.
Drag Racing Affiliation, if any: DSR
NHRA Event(s) attended in 2026. Gainesville, MIR, Charlotte 2, Reading, Dallas.
NHRA Event(s) planning to attend in 2026: Same list above for 2026. Will work as needed
for any other races. Would like to work the DRAW booth @ some races in 2026. Any other committees as needed.
Current Employment: Oceaneering – HR Director
Computer Skills:
Hobbies: Drag Racing
Any other information you would like DRAW to know.
Enjoy helping people and this organization.
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DRAW BOARD OF TRUSTEES- 2026-2027

                                              ELECTION BALLOT
(BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT PST, DECEMBER 31, 2025)
Listed below in alphabetical order are eight (😎 candidates seeking to fill the six (6) seats on the Board of Trustees for the 2026-2027 term.
VOTE FOR ONLY Six (6) BY CHECKING THE NAMES OR EMAILING THE SIX NAMES TO
THE ADDRESS BELOW:
__ Sandra Alberti
__ Vicki Aswege
__ Staci Cannon
__ Olan Gotcher
__ Connie Sutton
__ Debby Thompson
__ Yokie Van Vallis
__ Yvette Williams
Your Name: ____________________________________
Your DRAW Membership Number: __________________
(Your DRAW Membership Number is located above your name on the address label of this newsletter)
When the ballot is complete, Mail to:
DRAW 2026-2027 Trustee Election
c/o Kathi VanderMeer - 16889 Rose Briar Lane Nampa, ID 83687
Email to: Kathifiveonefive@gmail.com or Fax 480-820-2355

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The History Lesson

Deb Thompson, DRAW Historian

I thought I would do a little reminder about those we should remember as
a part of the history of DRAW.
I mentioned the Tracy Winters Memorial Golf Tournament that was held
during the GatorNationals in March. For those who might not remember or are
new to DRAW, Tracy Winters passed away in 2013. She started as an Area 2
Coordinator for DRAW from 1993 to 1997. She was also on the Board of Trustees
from 1994 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2013. She was DRAW Press Secretary
from 1995 to 1998 and in 2002. Tracy was an integral part of the golf tournament
held during the GatorNationals (first held in Gainesville in 1997), and it is now
named in her honor.
Tracy once quoted “Remember, you can’t control the length of your life,
but you can control the depth of it.”
With all the “talk” about always looking forward, sometimes it is nice to
reflect on the important points and people in our past to appreciate where we are
today and to continue moving forward to honor the work done before us. And
that’s just what we do...honor those before us and those that continue to need
us. Thank you for keeping DRAW moving forward!
Cards & Letters to Injured Racers is so Important
One of the great things about the Indy race is we generally get to see some injured racers from the past. It is always so heartwarming to get to visit with them and hear how they are doing. This year we had three racers stop by, Larry Sisk, Tom Brown and Ryan Gortney. When we work the booth or talked to the injured racers on the phone, we get to hear how important DRAW is important to their recovery. But only a few of us are fortunate enough to experience these "warm and fuzzies." Below is a letter from one of our current injured racers Andrew Blanton along with some pictures he sent with the letter. Please keep this letter in mind and when you get your DRAWing attention newsletter each month to send a few cards and/or letters out.

Dearest DRAW, 

Hi! I wanted to say hi and thank you to some of the friends that have kept in touch with me from DRAW. Constance Smith, Judy and Bill Leahey, Ray and Millie Martel have sent some very nice letters and they have made the most recent past a lot better. Please thank each of them for me and try to explain how much good happens from a single handwritten "hello". I have added some pictures of myself, Annika my daughter (sounds like Onikuh) and Kara my girlfriend. Thank you again from care and support.  The people at DRAW make my daily life a lot better!!!

Warm Regards
Andrew Blanton
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Drag Racing Association of Women Clarification

Due to a recent situation, the board members of the DRAW feel the need to clarify an 
item from the organizations Bylaws. 

Racers receiving aid from the Drag Racing Association of Women can not return to 
driving or riding a race vehicle and continue to receive aid from DRAW.

The thought being is that racer aid is there if you are not able to work or participate in normal life activities and have doctors orders that say so. If you are capable of 
operating any racing vehicle, then you should be capable of working or participating 
in normal life activities and will no longer receive aid from the Drag Racing 
Association of Women.
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Take just a little time to be prepared
I recently was slightly involved in something that made me want to write a little story
about being prepared for the worst. In this day and age, anyone that is 18 years or 
older should at least have a Power of Attorney in place and if you have a spouse, dependents or loved ones that depend on you make a Will. If you were to pass away tomorrow is everything in place to take care of the people you want taken care of?
If you do not at least have a POA then you risk having everything tied up in court, sometimes for years, while the State tries to determine who should get your assets. 
Sit down with a lawyer and get a POA made up and put on file so if something does 
happen, your family and loved ones are not stuck trying to obtain what is supposed 
to be rightfully theirs.

Chris Hardesty
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Committee and Volunteer Opportunities for 2025
In 2025, DRAW will mark its 40th year of providing "Fast Help for Fast Friends." It takes the time and talent of many people
to make our mission a reality. There are many ways you can help make 2025 DRAW's best year ever.

DRAW's lifeblood is dedicated volunteers. You can make a valuable contribution to DRAW by joining one of our committees: Website, Newsletter, Membership, Fundraising, Injured Racer Calling, and others that might arise during the year.
If you are interested in volunteering or joining one of DRAW's committees, please submit an application to Chris Hardesty, PO Box 365, Danvers Il 61732-0395