On the Run with Julie Stepan driver of the Easy Street Motorsports Sport Compact Subaru STi

When I graduated from high school in May 2004, I began attending college to pursue a career as a kindergarten teacher, but that project was put on hold last October after my father John read an article in National DRAGSTER about Easy Street Motorsports' Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search. The object of the contest was to find a female driver to pilot a nine-second Subaru STi. My dad raced Volkswagens and a Super Comp dragster, and I began racing Jr. Dragsters at age 9. Because I had some solid racing experience, I decided to enter. One evening I received a phone call from my mother informing me that I was chosen as one of the eight finalists, and, just like that, I was on my way to Los Angeles with a chance to achieve a lifelong dream.

The flight to California was my first time on an airplane. The combination of being excited about the contest and nervous about flying had my emotions going crazy, but I settled down after takeoff, comforted by the fact that my father was flying with me and realizing that my dream of being a hired race car driver could come true in a matter of days.

The contest requirements called for the finalists to race stock Subarus, interact with fans, and interview with several media outlets. For me, just being able to participate in the driver search was the chance of a lifetime and an amazing experience.

On Tuesday following the trip to California, AIi Afshar, owner/driver for Easy Street Motorsports, called to congratulate me on winning the contest. Two days later, my mother and I flew back to California to meet with the Easy Street team, then head to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show was so much fun for me because I met a lot of people and I experienced Halloween Vegas style, which was truly a sight to see. After the SEMA Show, I returned to Texas to spend time with my family and friends before embarking on my new career.

AIi and two other members of the Easy Street team, Jamie and Bryan, flew to Dallas in December to accompany me to my first dealer events, which took place at the Arlington Auto Mall, Subaru of Dallas, and Huffines Subaru. The events went extremely well, and I had the opportunity to meet many Subaru fans. In addition, the majority of my family attended the events; it was such a wonderful source of support for me.

Before Christmas, I joined the Easy Street and Subaru teams at the JGTC race in Fontana, Calif. The event was great; I met the drivers of the cars and signed posters. In addition, over the last few months I have traveled with the team to different car shows, including the Los Angeles and Dallas Auto Shows, hot Import Nights in Los Angeles and Houston, the NOS Kickoff Party, and the Center Valley Classic Charity Bike Race.

In early 2005, I moved to California to be with the race team. Moving away from home was the biggest decision of my life, and I was extremely nervous, but knew that moving to California would be a positive step for my drag racing career,

Soon I began practicing in the 1,000-horsepower Subaru STi. My first passes took place at California's Irwindale Dragstrip, where I made a few launches and half-track passes. When I first sat in the car, I was a little nervous, but when I started the car, I was calm, relaxed, and ready. On the first pass, I had a hard time getting the turbo to spool up, but AIi and Jamie taught me what to do. The next couple of passes went great; I was getting really comfortable with the car. The following night we raced the car in Palmdale, Calif. I made a few full-track passes, which was the coolest feeling in the world. Hearing and feeling the car accelerate is indescribable.

Winning the driver search has changed my life in many positive ways. I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream of being a hired drag racer. I thank my parents John and Lisa and my younger sister Callie for supporting me. I also thank the Easy Street Motorsports crew, Subaru, and Subaru Performance Tuning for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.

Copyright National Hot Rod Association May 13, 2005
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