One of the more fascinating prospects in recent stock car racing memory has launched a comeback and will do so in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series later this summer.
Former K&N West contender Julia Landauer, 26, will compete in three races this season for Canada’s Best Racing Team and crew chief-owner Joey McColm.
“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel,” Landauer said in a press release. “I am so grateful to Joey McColm and CBRT for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It means a lot to have a team show this kind of investment in me and I am thrilled I get the chance to get back on track, learn a new car, and try to win some races.”
Landauer is confirmed to race at Riverside International Speedway in Nova Scotia on August 18, at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park outside of Toronto on August 26, and at Quebec’s Autodrome St. Eustache on September 8.
“I met Julia a year ago and knew that we had to figure out a way to have her drive one of our CBRT cars,” McColm said. “She’s a proven winner on the track, she’s very competitive, and has a great work ethic. Add in her marketability and there’s a clear and natural fit with our race organization and partners.”
Landauer first gained national prominence when she appeared on the CBS Reality Show “Survivor” in 2013. She is a New Yorker and Stanford graduate with a Limited Late Model championship at Motor Mile Speedway under her resume.
That propelled her to K&N West in 2016, where she finished fourth in the championship, the highest finish for a female in the series’ 64-year history. She competed in the K&N Pro Series West again in 2017.
She has a best finish of second at Meridian Speedway in Idaho.
“We have been working really hard since the 2017 season to line up partners so I could go racing in 2018,” Landauer said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to before the start of the 2018 season, so it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster figuring out when I’d get back on track. I couldn’t be happier to see our perseverance start to pay off.”
Landauer will be driving the No. 1 Dodge Challenger. McColm will serve as crew chief for at least two of the races. Eric Holmes, three-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion and Landauer’s spotter in 2016, will return as spotter.
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