Two-time Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank set to play pioneer female NASCAR driver Janet Guthrie in a feature film

Hilary Swank will play Janet Guthrie in the upcoming movie, "Speed Girl."

Two-time Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank set to play pioneer female NASCAR driver Janet Guthrie in a feature film

Hilary Swank and Janet Guthrie. (Credits: Wikipedia and IndyStar)

Janet Guthrie is a legendary female motor racing driver who was the first woman to qualify and compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. She participated in both races in 1997. Guthrie graduated from the University of Michigan and was an aerospace engineer. She has inspired many women to try racing and will be commemorated in an upcoming movie, “Speed Girl.”

American actress, two time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank will play Janet Guthrie in the movie. This biopic will be based on Stephan Talty’s book, “Speed Girl.” This movie and the book share the same name. Swank, famously known for her role in “The Karate Kid” franchise, is thrilled to feature in the Janet Guthrie biopic. After all, it is about women’s empowerment and chasing dreams. 

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Hilary Swank spoke about the upcoming movie. She stated, “This is an incredible true story about female empowerment and going after your dreams. When I was approached with Janet Guthrie’s story by the great team at (production company) Balcony 9, I immediately said yes. I can’t wait to bring her inspiring life to the screen.” It is safe to say that Swank is delighted with her new role in this movie. 

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The Speed Girl movie producer claims Janet Guthrie’s story would resonate even more today 

Janet Guthrie (Credits: Autoweek)
Janet Guthrie (Credits: Autoweek)

Joel David Moore, the film’s producer, added, “Janet Guthrie was a fighter who wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of her dreams. Her excellence in the face of sexism, hardship, and sabotage resonates even more profoundly today.” Guthrie paved the way for many women in the field.

Despite facing challenges in her journey, she continued to stay true to her path. Both, the actress and the producer of “Speed Girl” believe it to be an inspiring movie. They hope it will reach many people and have an impact on them. 

Janet Guthrie was born in 1938 and began participating in SCCA races at just 25 years of age. However, she wasn’t a full-time racer until she turned 34. These days kids start their racing careers in karts when they are five years old, and 34 is considered a late start.

Guthrie competed in 33 NASCAR races from 1976 to 1980. Though it wasn’t a welcoming field for women, she stayed focused. This got her five top-ten finishes in the Cup Series. 

Among her many achievements, Janet Guthrie was the first woman to lead a lap in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (Now known as Cup Series). She also won the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame award in 1980 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame award in 2006. Guthrie was also inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2019. Her story will be told in the upcoming movie “Speed Girl.”

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