Finals aren't the only things on Gabi DiCarlo's mind -- she is busy preparing to race NASCAR cars.
DiCarlo, a business sophomore, signed with three major race teams recently to drive some of the most prominent series in racing.
She will be one of the first women racers at this level. She is also one of the youngest at 19 years old.
Her first of five races in the Hooter's Pro Cup series is May 15. Next year will include several races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series and part of the Busch series in 2006. In 2007 it will be a full Busch series.
"It all happened so fast," she said. "I don't even think it's sunk in yet."
DiCarlo began racing go-karts with her family when she was 11.
Her father said she wasn't really interested in racing at first.
"She would just hang around kind of bored," her father Mike DiCarlo said. "Someone else talked her into driving."
He added that after driving for fun she was encouraged to try racing.
Mike said DiCarlo had support from the members of the Phoenix Kart Racing Association to be a racer in the male-dominated sport.
"She was never a tomboy," he said. "She never wanted to do what all the boys were doing."
After racing go-karts for five years and winning several championships, DiCarlo, at 17, began racing a Star Mazda car, which goes 140-150 mph.
"She was driving these cars before she got her driver's license," Mike said. "It's exciting, but it's also very nerve-racking."
DiCarlo said her dream is to drive a NASCAR cup car.
"Since I was 16, I knew this was what I wanted to do," DiCarlo said. "It's such a huge dream for everyone in racing and I get to live it."
DiCarlo said that up until now school hasn't been a problem, but recently it has been hectic. She does homework on planes or in hotel rooms. She will be a part-time student next year.
"She has always been a good student, but it's been difficult," her dad said. "This will be a little more intense."
Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu.
