SEEKONK (WBSM) — Seekonk Speedway has discontinued its traditional women-only “Powder Puff” division of auto races for the 2025 season, and hundreds of people have already signed a petition to try to get the race track management to reverse course.

According to a statement provided to WBSM by Seekonk Speedway Director of Business Development Ed St. Germain, the decision to remove the Powder Puff races, which had been held for the past 15 years, was a “difficult one.”

“We know how much these races meant to the drivers who participated, and we certainly don’t take the decision to discontinue them lightly,” he said. “It was purely a business decision driven by the need to evolve and adapt to changes in the racing landscape.”

“Over the last 15 years, the Powder Puff races have come and gone, sometimes being held once a year, other times 3-5 times annually,” he said. “As much as we value the tradition they brought to Seekonk Speedway, not all events maintain their popularity or continue to generate the same excitement over time.”

Drivers and Fans Petitioning to Keep Powder Puff Alive

Tori Price, whose mother Lori Leal has been racing in the Powder Puff division for the past four years, appeared on WBSM Thursday morning to speak on behalf of the Powder Puff drivers and fans.

“All the women that race those cars, the fans in the stands, all the little girls who are watching these female racers – I’m here for them, not for myself,” she said.

Price was pushing for anyone who supports the idea of the female-only Powder Puff division to sign a Change.org petition asking Seekonk Speedway to reinstate the division.

READ MORE: Sign the Petition to Save the Powder Puff Division at Seekonk Speedway

“With this petition, we are hoping the track will realize the importance and value of the Powder Puff division, and will make accommodations to keep this division running in their 2025 season, and for many years to come,” the petition reads.

The petition, started by Brianne Taber, had over 600 verified signatures as of this writing.

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Seekonk Speedway "Committed" to Women Racers

St. Germain said Seekonk Speedway is committed to “providing opportunities for both men and women to compete,” and invited the female drivers to join other race divisions, such as the new Crown Vic Cruisers division that is replacing the Powder Puff races in the Thrill Show lineup.

“We are proud to have over 20 female drivers currently racing in our weekly divisions. Many others have excelled in other events like Spectator Drags and Thrill Shows Endoro events, with several even earning NASCAR race wins and Track championships,” St. Germain said.

“We truly hope that the women who enjoyed racing in the Powder Puff events will continue to find new ways to race, whether through Enduros or perhaps even the Crown Vic Cruisers,” he said. “We value all of our drivers and are always looking for ways to provide exciting opportunities for everyone at the track.”

Price said that most of the female drivers she has spoken to don’t want to race with the men, because they find their style too aggressive. She said a big reason why the drivers and fans love the Powder Puff division is that it’s more of a friendly competition than a serious one, even though all the women are looking to win.

“It’s something that really just empowers all women and the little girls in the stands,” she said. “To see all those women out there, and it’s crazy the amount of passion these women have behind the cars.”

“It’s not just a sport for these girls. They put their blood, sweat and literal tears into these cars and these races,” Price said. “It’s just amazing.”

Using Racing to Raise Awareness

Racing is also an outlet for these women to express themselves and their other passions. Leal, Price’s mother, was diagnosed with lung cancer, and Price said she changed her No. 1010 car to be about cancer awareness.

“Anybody who has been to the races religiously knows her car. She’s won three races,” Price said.

Courtesy Tori Price
Courtesy Tori Price
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However, she said if her mother has to race with the men, she won’t be racing.

“This is something we don’t take lightly. We enjoy racing. It’s a big part of our family,” Price said.

The Pathway for Powder Puff to Return

St. Germain said Seekonk Speedway could bring back the Powder Puff division, if the support is there for it.

“While we won’t be holding the Powder Puff races this season, we remain open to the possibility of bringing them back in the future, depending on the success of the new Crown Vic Cruiser division and fan feedback,” he said.

That’s why Price thinks it’s especially important for those who want to see them return to sign the petition.

“Hopefully we get enough signatures to really open their eyes and we need to bring this race back for these women,” she said. “A lot of male drivers are standing with the women. They believe it’s not right to take out the Powder Puff race.”

“It’s just not right,” she said.

LISTEN: Tori Price on WBSM's Tim Weisberg Show:

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