Latasha Causey Celebrates Historic Milestone in NASCAR
Latasha Causey, the first Black female track president in NASCAR history, is celebrating two groundbreaking years at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Her leadership has not only transformed the raceway but also inspired countless individuals, especially women and people of color, to pursue careers in motorsports.
Causey’s journey began in 2022 when she took over as president of Phoenix Raceway. Despite growing up just miles from the track, she never imagined entering the world of racing. “I’m born and raised here, and didn’t come to the raceway until I was an adult,” she told 12 News.
Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
With a master’s degree in Human Resources and over 20 years of leadership experience in banking, insurance, and nonprofits, Causey brought a fresh perspective to NASCAR. Her strong business skills and community connections caught the attention of former track president Julie Giese, who encouraged her to take on the role.
“If you’re not taking risks or taking on opportunities that scare you, then you’re probably not in the right role,” Causey said. “You’ve gotten comfortable. So get out of your comfort zone.”
Since stepping into the position, Causey has prioritized diversity and inclusivity. She has focused on engaging communities, particularly Arizona’s large Latino population, through innovative outreach programs.
Engaging the Next Generation of Fans
One of Causey’s key initiatives is introducing young people to motorsports. For example, Phoenix Raceway hosts STEM Day, where nearly 500 students from Title One schools participate in hands-on activities. “The Raceway is their playground for the day,” Causey explained. “All of those kids will receive tickets to come back to our race on Saturday with an adult so they can experience it.”
These efforts align with NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity Program,” which has worked for two decades to broaden the sport’s fan base. The program has supported drivers like Bubba Wallace, the first African American to win a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and newcomers Raja Caruth and Levar Scott.
Transforming Phoenix Raceway into a Community Hub
Under Causey’s leadership, Phoenix Raceway has seen sold-out races for the first time in a decade. But her vision extends beyond race days. The raceway now hosts approximately 200 events annually, including concerts, corporate meetings, and even proms.
“While our bread and butter is NASCAR racing, we also rent out the raceway,” Causey said. “We have tons of acres of land out here. We do multiple things, like concerts, corporate business meetings.”
A Trailblazer’s Message to the Next Generation
As a trailblazer, Causey feels a responsibility to ensure she’s not the last to break barriers. She encourages others, especially in the Black community, to build strong relationships and seek support.
“Sometimes us, especially in the Black community, we never really ask for help or use our network,” she said. “We always have it, which we do. But we also need help and we need support.”
Her advice to those following in her footsteps is clear: “Don’t apologize for who you are. If you work for it, you deserve it. Take it and run with it.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Family
Beyond her professional achievements, Causey hopes her legacy extends to her family. As a wife and mother of two teenagers, she aims to raise “really good humans” and be remembered as someone who collaborated with others and amplified underrepresented voices.
“I want my boys to be proud of their mom and proud of the things that I have done for them, as well as other people,” Causey said.
NASCAR fans can experience Phoenix Raceway during the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series and XFinity races on March 8-9 in Avondale.
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