Shift Up Now Racer Ambassador Sarah Montgomery Makes Racing History In Global MX-5 Cup Series

    SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL, September 14, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sarah Montgomery, a member of the female racing collective of Shift Up Now, and Sick Sideways Racing made history the first weekend of September at Portland, (Oregon) International Raceway in rounds 9 and 10 of the highly competitive Battery Tender® Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Series Presented by BFGoodrich Tires®.

On Saturday, Montgomery, from Lafayette, LA, became the first female in the history of the series to finish on the podium in a Global Mazda MX-5 Cup race and defended that finish with another during Sunday's race. "My entire personal goal for this year was to become the first female ever on the podium. This series has some of the most talented drivers around and I have been heavily invested in my training. To be standing where my mentors have stood is truly a blessing," Montgomery states. "I am completely honored and humbled to be here racing on this stage with all of my partners, Team (Sick Sideways Racing) as well as my very supportive family and friends."

During Saturday morning's qualifying, Sarah's fastest lap was about a half second off the pole sitter's (John Dean) fastest time, which had her starting fifth in both races. During race one, Montgomery won a hard fought battle with teammate and former series champion, Nathanial Sparks (No. 8 - Sick Sideways Racing). Race two had much of the same clean, aggressive driving as she battled for a podium spot with Atlanta Speedwerks driver, Carter Weedon, claiming that spot with an exciting finish at the checkered flag.

"I am absolutely blown away by the amount of reach these podiums have had so far through social media, fans at the track, including Indy Car driver Sarah Fisher, Max Papis, plus phone calls and texts. It truly means the world to me to have people supporting my dreams and following me through my journey," says Montgomery.

Sick Sideways team owner John Dean states, "Since the first time Sarah and I met, I always knew she was the type of person I wanted to have on my team. Looking back, it's pretty amazing to see how far we have both come together in the highest contested series in this country," says Dean. "Now, we have made history and it's amazing to think of all the women that have been in this series and how Sarah is the first to stand on the podium. To be a part of this personally, as well as for my team Sick Sideways, is absolutely incredible."

Montgomery, Dean and Sick Sideways now prepare for the last race weekend of the season at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, September 20-22, 2019, where she will try to defend her podium finishes in her Sick Sideways, Lafayette Travel, Shift Up Now, Team One Logistics Mazda MX-5 Cup Car.

Follow Sarah and Sick Sideways through LIVE TIMING and LIVE STREAMING for the remaining event below.

"We are extraordinarily proud of Sarah and her accomplishments. We support racers by providing much needed funding, thereby boosting their own fundraising efforts in reaching their racing goals, "explains Lynn Schultz Kehoe, Founder and CEO of Shift Up Now. "Our public speaking engagements and school programs use racing to demonstrate how girls and women can embrace clarity, confidence and courage to navigate their lives and drive their future."

In addition to Shift Up Now, Montgomery and Sick Sideways are working with other partners including Lafayette Travel (Lafayette, LA.), TeamOne Logistics (Lafayette, LA.), Dailey Enterprises (Lafayette, LA.), E. Esposito Interiors (Truckee, CA.), Lemons of Love (Mount Prospect, IL.), Harrison Contracting Co. (Villa Rica, GA.), My Legal Edge (Naples, FL.), and many others have stepped up to help Sarah.

To contact Sarah, please email [email protected].

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