Image via Complex Original
Intro
Racing cars used to be the sole province of men, big dudes standing around an open hood talking about football and wrestling while fumbling with spark plugs and crankshafts. Well, times have changed. These days, some pretty hot female drivers are making names for themselves on and off the track. Here are 10 smokin' babes who don't mind putting the pedal to the metal and getting a little greasy. Complex ranks the hottest women in auto racing.
Leilani Munter
10. Leilani Munter
Age: 35
A native a Minnesota, Leilani drives for Mark Gibson Racing in the ARCA Racing Series. She previously drove in the Firestone Indy Circuit, a development league for IndyCar. While it does not seem like she will become a driving superstar, she is a welcome addition to the testosterone-filled world of auto racing.
Sabine Schmitz
9. Sabine Schmitz
Age: 42
Retired racer and current TV personality Sabine Schmitz paved the way for younger female racing drivers now competing on various circuits around the world. To the astonishment of racing fans, Sabine scored huge victories in 1996 and 1997 at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, driving for BMW. After her victories, she became a legend in her native Germany, earning the nickname "The Queen of Nürburgring."
Simona de Silvestro
8. Simona de Silvestro
Age: 23
Swiss-born Simona de Silvestro is known as "The Iron Maiden" on the IndyCar circuit, a nickname she earned for her fiery disposition on and off the track. Even though she has yet to win a race, she is well on her way to becoming a serious contender. As a bonus, she also happens to be one of the few drivers to make bulky Nomex racing suits look damn sexy.
Susie Stoddart
7. Susie Stoddart
Age: 29
Susie is a Swedish-born driver who races Benzes in the uber-competitive German Touring Car Championship. Even though she was once considered the top female kart racer in the world, she has yet to score a victory on the pro circuit.
Natacha Gachnang
6. Natacha Gachnang
Age: 23
Swiss driving sensation Natacha Gachang has been making a name for herself lately. Along with driving in F1's feeder series, the FIA Formula Two Championship, she also recently became the the first woman in more than 20 years to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Milka Duno
5. Milka Duno
Age: 39
Milka is the only girl on our list who is a former fashion model. She is also the only one on our list with four Master's degrees! Even though she has not experienced a ton of winning in her IndyCar career, the Venezuelan beauty has always been a huge hit with racing fans because of her gorgeous smile and fun-loving personality.
Ashley Force Hood
4. Ashley Force Hood
Age: 28
Ashley is a famed funny car driver and one of the few women on this list who consistently manages to win races. She does, however, have the advantage of being the daughter of a legendary drag racer, John Force. Either way, she's a smokin' hot babe who enjoys blasting down the tarmac at 250 mph. What could be better than that?
Danica Patrick
3. Danica Patrick
Age: 29
Danica is the most famous female driver on the planet. She has scored a ton of endorsements deals because of her "girl next door" good looks. Thankfully for us, she doesn't seem to mind unzipping the racing suit and showing off her winning form.
Madalena Antas
2. Madalena Antas
Age: 35
Portuguese bombshell Madelana Antas doesn't mind getting dusty in the desert while racing tricked-out pickups on the rally circuit. When she is not destroying sand dunes and jumping trucks at 120 mph, she enjoys oil painting and flaunting her curvaceous assets in men's magazines.
Shannon McIntosh
1. Shannon McIntosh
Age: 21
This girl races cars? Really? Hard to believe, but it's true. Shannon is currently trying to climb her way up the IndyCar ladder by competing in the US F200 Championship for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing. Move over Danica. There's a new girl in town.
