24h Le Mans
Granted, Ashley Freiberg, 22, has not won the 24 Hours of Daytona. However, she has achieved a feat that few of her male colleagues can claim: her first win in her first endurance race, both at legendary Daytona, prior to the 24 Hours of the same name. Portrait of a young woman in a hurry ...
Photo : DR / Wes Duenkel Motorsport Photography
Ashley Freiberg was relaxing in her hotel room when her phone rang: her second place finish in IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge at Daytona turned into a victory following the forfeit of the victors. Not bad for a "rookie", but the Homer Glen native (suburb of Chicago) is used to taking first place.
Like almost any driver, Ashley Freiberg's career began in karting at the age of 13. After several victories at the regional and national level, she enrolled in the Skip Barber Racing School. She was to become the first female to claim victories and a title in 2010, and the second - after Danica Patrick - to apply for the Team USA Scholarship, a program that helps young American drivers.
In 2013 the resident of Bondville, Vermont went into GT racing with the GT3 Cup Challenge. In the top five in the first round of the season at Sebring, then second at Laguna Seca, Ashley Freiberg took the highest step on the podium at Watkins Glen to become the first victorious woman in that championship. As the one to beat, she was unable to defend her position, as the team and the driver decided to separate.
2014 started in the most beautiful way for the ambitious driver, who with the help of her team Fall-Line Motorsports, is attempting to find sponsors in order to compete in the rest of the season. With a little luck, the Daytona win could be the nudge Ashley Freiberg perhaps needs to join one day her illustrious predecessor, Danica Patrick ...
Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translated by Rainier Ehrhardt / ACO
