ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Scott Dixon is a six-time IndyCar Series champion. 

He’s also a girl dad. Which is one reason why he’s so involved in the Women in Motorsports Initiative. 

“For me, being a girl dad, I think it’s definitely a home run, but also I think on a selfish side and a performance side, we saw great gains by doing the process and going through this internship last year,” Dixon said. 

Dixon has seen first-hand the impact women can make, not just behind the wheel, but in all areas of racing.

“The penny-drop moment for me was my 11-year-old daughter asking me, ‘Who are all these women?’ I think it really made a difference in her mind that if it’s not a driver, because we see lots of drivers, but gave her the idea that she could still work in this industry because of that moment,” he said.

Anna Chatten is on Dixon’s team and is a mentor in the program, bringing 25 years of experience in motorsports. 

“I’ve seen a lot change for women and motor racing in that time frame,” Chatten said. 

As the gearbox mechanic for Dixon’s number 9 car, she plays a crucial role in his success. 

“What that entails is basically at the shop, I build and set up the transmission which in motor racing we use the term gearbox, and I build and set that up at the shop, and then when we get to the racetrack, I’ll change the gear ratios in the car to fine-tune the speed.” 

Chatten knows the value of creating this pathway for the next generation. 

“When I first started in this business 25 years ago, there were very few of us,” she said.

She’s not only navigated being one of the few women at the track, but also being a mom. 

“Obviously, a lot of things in life change after you have children, but when I look at their faces, I want them to have the opportunities that I created for myself,” Chatten said.

Chatten wants women to know balancing a career in motorsports and motherhood is possible. 

“Women tend to put their careers on pause to have children, and that isn’t something that we have to do,” she said. “You can definitely find a way to do it. You just have to be a little creative with how you go about it. I’m kind of the first to go in this direction, so I make my rules as I go. “

As for Dixon, he’s benefitted from having Chatten on his team.

“Anna is on the 9 car and the gearbox this year, she does a tremendous job, has for her whole career in motor racing so it’s great for many levels of engineering, but it just shows that we need a lot of support and help from women, it changes the tone of the room, it changes the discussion,” he said.