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Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
OSWEGO, NY (April 8, 2025) – A familiar face to Oswego Speedway fans will be seen in an entirely new role this season, as Mackenzie Coleman transitions from Trophy Girl to race car driver. After thirteen years of presenting feature winners with hardware in victory lane, Coleman will make her on-track debut in the Pathfinder Bank SBS division, driving for G.O. Racing, owned by longtime family friend Greg O’Connor.
“It was talked about a lot last summer. Greg approached me with this and he explained what he wanted to do, so we talked it over and it’s something that I decided I’d really like to try,” Coleman said of the opportunity.
For 2025, Mackenzie’s car will be renumbered to No. 29 in honor of her mother Mary Coleman, who used the number during her own days as a Limited Supermodified car owner.
Despite spending much of her life at the Speedway, Mackenzie has essentially zero driving experience, having only tried a quarter midget once, years ago. Still, her love for racing runs generations deep. Her grandfather John helped build the front grandstand. Her grandmother Betty used to drag race her GTO at Savannah, and the family still owns the Chevy Chevelle that was hers. Her father Charlie Fellows has crewed on various race teams, most recently for O’Connor, and both of her parents have been closely tied to the local racing scene for decades. Her father even sponsored O’Connor over the past two seasons.
“My parents have known Greg’s dad Andy for a long time and always adored his late mom, Sue,” Mackenzie shared. “They’re truly great people and have been wonderful family friends. There’s no one else I’d rather start this journey with. We’re all very excited, and I can’t thank Greg, Crystal, and Andy O’Connor enough.”
More than just a new racing opportunity, this chapter marks a deeply personal and emotional milestone for Mackenzie and her family.
“My parents might be a little nervous about this one, but they have always supported any venture I chose to take on and are on board with anything,” she said. “My Dad had cancer six years ago and my Mom a year ago, and they’ve both beat it. This is definitely something that we can all bond over and enjoy together, especially doing it with both of my parents. I am going to have a special cancer ribbon for both of them on my firesuit.”
When asked if she ever thought she would be a race car driver after spending decades watching from the grandstands and the infield, Mackenzie answered without hesitation: “Definitely not.”
“I just didn’t think I’d get the opportunity and now I have one – thanks to Greg and sponsors Lakeside Property Management, Paul’s Big M, Sonbyrne Sales of Weedsport, NY, and Oswego Wine & Liquor. When I was younger I had to choose between racing or dance. Obviously back then I picked dance, and who knows, maybe I’ll be kicking myself now – as much as I loved it. I’m really looking forward to trying an SBS out and getting adapted to the driving aspect of things. My big goals are to roll the car on the trailer every week and just finish every race, honestly.”
Coleman joins a growing group of female competitors at the Speedway, including Tessa Crawford in the SBS division and Bailey Groves in the 350 Supermodified class, with two additional female drivers rumored to be joining the 350 ranks in 2025. This will mark the first time since 2006 that more than one female driver has competed in the SBS division in the same season. That year, Star Matteson and Shannon Jones ran a handful of events together.
Coleman will be in the running for Pathfinder Bank SBS Rookie of the Year honors alongside Tessa’s brother, CJ Crawford.
“I want to be able to show young girls that they can do this. I come from a generation where Oswego Speedway was always the mindset and goal for Quarter Midget or Microd or karting competitors. There’s lots of female race car drivers all over the country and even locally. I want to be a part of that and help add my name to the list at Oswego.”
Looking ahead to her first season, Mackenzie is excited not just about driving, but the building momentum of the class itself.
“I love the class and the creativity of the chassis builders like Ray Hedger and Dan Dennie with FFB. So many times it is ‘the show’ on Saturday nights. I started watching at the track when the class started in 1992 and 1993,” she said. “The class is really building back up and it’s a great division so I think that is very rewarding for everyone involved.”
Coleman’s leap from longtime Trophy Girl to rookie driver is sure to be one of the most talked-about stories entering the 2025 season. With deep family roots, strong support from an experienced car owner and crew, and a passion for the Speedway that’s been growing her entire life, Mackenzie’s first year behind the wheel will certainly be one to follow.
