article from June 3, 1959 Elmira Star-Gazette
Women In Racing
Stock Car Powder Puffers Organize
By Bob Wilbur
The next time you're at a stock car track, take another look at the drivers as they come racing past the grandstand. They may be women. The Powder Puffers have been a familiar part of stock car racing for some time as witnessed at the Chemung Speedrome in the past and at the Towanda VFW Raceway today.
A move has been started at the latter track in an effort to organize and unify the women drivers in this particular area. Doris Benjamin, wife of Chuck Benjamin (the current president of the Penn York Racing Association and a former driver) has been leading the drive to get more women interested in the sport.
"We don't plan to restrict the organization to drivers," said Mrs. Benjamin. "Anyone interested in the mechanics of stock car racing is invited to attend our meetings."
The initial meeting of the new unit was held last week and another session has been planned in the near future.
MOST OF THOSE in attendance at the first meeting were veterans so to speak. Perhaps the largest representation came from the Soper family. Jack Soper is currently taking honors at several top tracks. Lillian Soper and daughters Sally and Polly have seen competition in the sport.
They take their share of the bumps too, according to Mrs. Benjamin. "Lillian, a while back, rolled over five times in a race. Last season, I rammed into her car during an event. It's early yet and there hasn't been too much excitement. But mark my words. There will be once the season gets along."
Among the other women drivers instrumental in forming the Penn York Women's Racing Association are Loretta Leonard, Jean Stroman, Peg Harvey, Phyllis Cole, Arlie Bricka and Joyce Steele. The group is seeking a closer association with the tracks. The cars on the whole are serviced by the men. An exception to the rule is Mrs. Harvey.
"We don't ask any quarter," said Mrs. Benjamin. "Of course, our speeds differ to an extent but the same racing rules apply to us as the men. The black flag can be waved at us for the same violations applied to the men drivers."
THE WOMEN have a 10-lap feature at Towanda every Friday night. The spring season championship has been run off with Mrs. Leonard taking the honors. That particular race was a 15- lap affair. Mrs. Cole was second and Mrs. Benjamin third.
Injurues haven't been of any great nature and don't appear to worry the women. However, the "butterflies" sometimes pop up. "Every time I race," Mrs. Benjamin added, "I get those butterflies. Of course it's not as bad as the first time. I was always threatening to drive a stock car. One night, the boys bet me that I wouldn't dare. I took the bet, hopped into a car and drove around the track."
The women race Class B stocks now but it is hoped that eventually, they may turn to the modified cars. This, together with a proposed point program, could make for an interesting season.
The women, on occasion, have competed against the men in special match races. One such race was held at Towanda last year and Ethel Buchanan won over a male opponent. "Everyone insisted it was fixed," Mrs. Benjamin added jokingly. "but it wasn't. Ethel was really driving along."
MRS. BENJAMIN herself was a victim of circumstance at Towanda last year. She had nary a scratch as a driver. One night , after a race, she stepped up to the bleachers to speak to an official, tripped, broke her right ankle and was out of action for six months. Previously, womens racing had merely been a special event on the program. Perhaps with the new organization, including the point program and championship races, powder puff activity will hit a new peak. The women certainly hope so.