Leilani Munter's Key Accomplishments Include . . .
Leilani Munter was born and raised in Minnesota. She holds a bachelors degree in Biology specializing in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from the University of California San Diego. Leilani started racing cars in 2001 and spent six years working her way up the NASCAR ranks. During this time, Leilani Munter also worked as a race instructor and correspondent for NASCAR.
The girl's no model. She's a race car driver. She's just better looking than most.
American Thunder Magazine
By 2004 Leilani Munter had gained the attention of the racing world when she finished 4th at Texas Motor Speedway -the highest finish for a female driver in the history of the racetrack. By 2006 she had raced her way from the short tracks of Southern California all the way to the Mecca of NASCAR racing - the high banks of iconic Daytona International Speedway. In 2007 Leilani Munter became the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series (the developmental league of IndyCar). She impressed the open-wheel racing world when she qualified 5th for her debut. Leilani was running in the top six when a multi-car accident took her out of the race.
Leilani Munter's racing accomplishments have landed her on the pages of numerous publications including Vanity Fair, The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, Italian Vogue, Esquire, FHM, In Style and USA Today. An accomplished speaker in a variety of venues, Leilani Munter was a trackside correspondent for several years at NASCAR.com, reporting live from NASCAR Nextel Cup races, including Daytona. She has appeared on a number of television shows including National Geographic On Assignment, FOX Sports, NBC Sports and was a guest host on Spike TV. She was also the solo host of Auto Primer on the DIY Network. Leilani Munter is no stranger to radio either, working as a correspondent for ESPN Radio, reporting on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship.
As a keynote speaker, Leilani Munter has appeared before a variety of organizations where she speaks about courage, motivation, dedication, diversity, integrity and perseverance as well as her unique perspective on environmental issues. Her experience as a successful woman in a male-dominated field gives Leilani Munter keen insight into the behind-the-scenes world of auto racing. She shares her transformation from biology student to race car driver, and her struggle to race her way from the short tracks of California to the high banks of Daytona to becoming the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series.
More About Leilani Munter. . .
Esquire Magazine called Leilani Munter, "A Woman We Love." Sports Illustrated named her "One of the top ten female race car drivers in the world." Continuously redefining the contemporary image of a race car driver, Leilani Munter is politically active in the legislative fight for the environment. In 2008, she went to Capitol Hill to speak before Congress on behalf of climate issues. Leading by example, Leilani Munter purchases an acre of rainforest for every race she runs to offset her carbon footprint and has been a long time vegetarian and eco-activist. In her own words, Leilani Munter reminds us, "Never underestimate the power of a vegetarian hippie chick… with a race car."
Other interesting facts about Leilani Munter include work as a stunt woman and as a photo-double for actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her older sister is married to Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Bob Weir. Leilani's hobbies also include scuba diving and snowboarding. |
