Carpinteria seniors hit the fast lane in Fontana

The need for speed drives a group of enthusiastic senior women to one of the most electrifying events in sports entertainment year after year–NASCAR at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.

It’s radically fast, high energy, and full of fanatics. But you can’t help but put your brakes on when you see these young-at-heart Carpinteria seniors showing up to the weekend races as they have for many years.

“It’s wonderful and it does keep us young, and people in town are fascinated that we are still coming down here and doing this. They can’t believe it!” says NASCAR fan and Carpinteria resident Martha Hickey.

Hickey is 85 years old. Her two best gals, 90-year-old Jane Bianchin and Bonnie Milne, 91, make up the trio that are still as excited being at the race track as they were the first time they embarked on this journey.

“When we went, it was so much fun and so many people…so many different kinds of people. We couldn’t quit,” said Milne.

Bianchin says what gets this pack of ladies excited is “when they [race cars] come around the turn at the start…and all that roar!”

“I’m yelling when my driver comes around. I yell go…go…go!” says Hickey.

Hickey recounts the time the ladies were offered a ride around the track in a pace car just under the power pack the racers are in. “It was exciting and we were on this bank…going around at 120 miles an hour. And I thought, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this’,” she said.

Although they may not move around as fast as the old days, these women will continue to share their need for speed and love for race cars for many more years to come.

Check back after the newscasts for the video story.