Asphalt Sprint Car Racer Wendy Mathis Looking to Compete in Indy Light Series

Sprint car racer Wendy Mathis began her successful career in motorsports at the early age of 12 years old. Since then she has collected a plethora of accomplishments including becoming the first female in the state of Florida to win the State Quarter Midget Championship, the first female to win a feature event with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) Sprint Car Club, and the first female to win a main event with a major sanctioning body in the state of Florida.
Wendy Mathis' sprint car is powered by a Gaerte 360 motor with K&N Filters.
Wendy Mathis' sprint car is powered by a Gaerte 360 motor with K&N Filters.


Wendy's sprint car is powered by a Gaerte 360 motor which remains in peak performance with the help of K&N Filters. "The air box has made a huge difference in the car," says Wendy. "It allows the most air to flow into the motor creating the most horsepower we can possibly get. As far as the oil filter goes, K&N does a great job in allowing as little as possible to go back into the engine. We've cut the filters open to see this stuff getting caught and I feel relieved to know that it doesn't go back into the motor to cause any issues in the motor itself."

As most children in racing families do, Wendy grew up with a passion for motorsports. Her father, Jerry, was a successful modified racer in the competitive upstate New York asphalt modified series. When Wendy was twelve, her parents bought her a Quarter Midget and they started racing all over the state of Florida. Wendy's intense passion for competing in motorsports was very unique among other girls her age.

After switching her focus to pavement sprint cars in 2001, Wendy has since competed with the TBARA Sprint Car Club, collecting two feature wins. She is currently also competing full-time in the O'Reilly USCS Asphalt Thunder Series. Wendy has been in talks with Firestone Indy Lights Series teams to secure necessary sponsorship to run ovals, including the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "My heart really pulls me towards the Indy Light Series just because I have been in open wheel my entire life. But if doors open up on the NASCAR and stock car racing side, I will definitely pursue that as well."

In her many years of racing, Wendy has become a precision driver with amazing talent and ability. She is not only a driver, but she is also very knowledgeable about the machine she controls which makes her a mechanics dream when communicating vehicle dynamics and setting up the car for maximum performance. Wendy is also a great role model and spokesperson as she has done work with the "Race Against Drugs" program, the Sprint Car & Midget Magazine "Stay in School" program, and the "Drive for the Dream" program. Wendy's next race is August 15 at Watermelon Capital as part of the USCS Asphalt Thunder Tour. Then she rolls into DeSoto Super Speedway August 29 as part of the Tampa Bay Asphalt Racing Association.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.