KEEPING TRACK

Latasha Causey Accelerating Against All Odds

Latasha Causey is a native Phoenician who de ed all odds obtaining a position that’s never been held by an African-American woman in auto racing in NASCAR history. Currently, she is track president at Phoenix Raceway and serves as a senior point of contact on race weekends for the industry, competition and race teams. Her role ensures event weekend executional requirements of multiple regional/central departments, working seamlessly with all industry stakeholders and municipal resources.

Causey has been widely recognized for her substantial proactive work in the Phoenix
community and is also a founding member of the NASCAR Accelerators host committee established in 2020. e committee is comprised of recognized community and business leaders who serve as Arizona’s ambassadors for NASCAR. e group works to accelerate the community through motorsports by optimizing unique opportunities to promote community investment, with proceeds benefitting nonprofit organizations identified by Arizona Accelerator Charities.

Causey started o as a community liaison working with Julie Geesie, the previous track president. She helped Geesie connect with the business community. Geesie invited Causey to a NASCAR event.

“I really did enjoy it. ere is nothing like a NASCAR experience,” Causey said. “It is top notch. It is not like any other sporting event. It is family friendly, family focused, and you are up-close and personal with drivers and other fans of the sport.”

When Geesie left to pursue another opportunity in Chicago, she offered Causey her position. Initially, Causey was hesitant about taking the position because she was not as prepared as others when it came to NASCAR. Thus, she leaned more on her business experience and her business connections with the community. NASCAR was looking for someone who could build culture within the organization.

Causey’s background included human resources positions with USAA, U-Haul International and a leading financial institution for 12 years.

Causey – attended Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix and graduated from Arizona State University – pointed out it is a rare to see an African-American woman in a high-ranking leadership position in NASCAR because it’s usually considered a predominantly White sport. She integrated herself into the sport to raise her knowledge and awareness of NASCAR and through her relationships with fellow employees they were able to work together to build her knowledge as well.

Causey started in her role November 2022. On Sept. 28, she received an award from Women in Sports Events (WISE) at the Inspiration Gala. She stated she was not aware of it and did not know who nominated her. Founded in 2018, WISE Arizona carries out its mission by facilitating meaningful connections among local industry professionals and offering programming, events, and valuable networking opportunities in the area throughout the year. WISE is the leading voice and resource for women in the business of sports. A national organization and registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit headquartered in New York City, WISE has chapters across North America.

Causey’s leadership will be on full display during NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 3-5. It begins Friday, Nov. 3 with an action-packed doubleheader involving the ARCA Menards Series West Championship Race, the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship.

The excitement continues Saturday, Nov.4, when the green flag flies for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race. Then on Sunday, Nov. 5, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will battle for the Bill France Cup in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.

Fans should act now to secure the scarce remaining seats and experiences for this year’s NASCAR Championship Weekend by visiting Learn more at PhoenixRaceway.com.