Two years ago, Katie Hettinger was one of the most talked about up-and-coming drivers in the late model ranks as she had turned heads at Hickory Motor Speedway and appeared poised for more opportunities.
Now, Hettinger has made the difficult decision to step aside short term to focus on her education. (Hettinger is a senior in high school.)
“While racing has been a central component for my whole life, going back to school for my senior year and focusing on my education is important to me,” Hettinger said in a statement posted on her social media channels. “For the time being, I will step away from the Hettinger Racing Chevy. I will continue to support my team and wish them much success. Thank you to everyone who has followed me on this journey.”
In recent years, Hettinger’s stock has risen as a result of her on track success both in Late Models at Hickory Motor Speedway and in Pro Late Models. She scored four wins at Hickory in 2022 and also made a couple starts in the ARCA Menards Series West tour.
She picked up a victory in a Pro Late Model race at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2023 and went on later that season to become the first woman to score a win in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series. She also competed in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, collecting seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
Hettinger has raced predominantly in the zMAX CARS Tour in 2024, scoring two top-10 finishes in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, as well as a top-five and two top-10s in the Pro Late Model side of the tour.
