83-year-old Race Car Super-Fan Finally Gets Her Chance Behind the Wheel, Outliving Prejudice
Some of her best childhood memories were filled with revving engines, spinning tires, and cheering crowds while her brother drag-raced—but in those days there were no driving opportunities for women.
Yet, she vividly remembers the rush of adrenaline she felt while watching her brother racing cars.
The one day she did have a chance to race, in a ‘Powder Puff Derby’ especially for females, the event was rained-out—and she never got the opportunity again, until now.
At age 83, Bobbi Oxford’s wish has finally come true.
“I have the need for speed, baby!” she said from her senior living community in Littleton, Colorado, where she stays busy with sewing, quilting, and painting, leading a quiet life.
The devoted fan of NASCAR racing got to check off her bucket list item thanks to Wish of a Lifetime, a charity arm of AARP that grants life-changing wishes to inspire people to age with joy.
Her dream was fulfilled at the Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado in a retired race car belonging to Joe Garone, the track’s COO. Bobbi took to the track under a clear blue Colorado sky—not a drop of rain would cut her experience short this time.
When asked by CBS Sunday Morning how fast she wanted to go, she replied: “As fast as I can—maybe a hundred and thirty.”
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After being fitted with a helmet and personalized racing suit, getting a tour of the garage, and completing an orientation, Bobbi got behind the wheel with an experienced driver in the passenger seat and she drove around the 1-mile oval track—over and over.
“Just the sound of this motor and being behind this wheel,” she exclaimed. “You step on the gas, and hear roarrrrr—I tell you!” (Watch the video below…)
Along the sidelines, female race car drivers of all ages cheered ‘Go, Bobbi, go!’ Friends from her senior community also attended, along with her son and daughter-in-law, waving handmade signs in support of Bobbi.
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After she’d had her fill, a professional driver took her on the ride of her life—spinning in circles and burning rubber to give Bobbi the full experience she’d missed all these years.
“I made it!” Bobbi called out, as she completed her drive. “Nothing can ever, ever top this.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get in a race car, but I did!”
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