Shannon McIntosh began her racing career at the age of 5 in quarter midgets. When Shannon first climbed into a Quarter Midget and took her first of many laps around the Miami Valley (OH) quarter midget track, her natural talent for driving a race car at such a young age set her apart from other beginning drivers. She displayed an amazing ability to remain focused while driving, as well as a very competitive spirit and desire to win…as a result…win after win after win! Shannon scored both heat and feature wins in the novice class (first year drivers) at all 10 Miami Valley Quarter Midget Racing Assoc. events. She also set a track record for the junior (5 to 8 year olds) division in her second race! Shannon also made a lot of noise on the regional level (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan) her first year. She consistently qualified and finished in the top 3 at all 10 regional races including a win at Columbus, Ohio (her first visit to the track).

Shannon raced quarter midgets year ‘round for six years (indoors in the winter) accumulating over 100 wins and over 50 fast times (fastest qualifier). Shannon’s qualifying efforts resulted in track records at: Xenia, Oh., Kokomo, In., Plymouth, In., Sharron, Pa., Columbus, Oh. In her only pavement Grand-National appearance at age 7, Shannon qualified 3rd fastest out of 30 cars, earning her a spot directly into the “A” Main, finishing 5th. That same season Shannon also made the “A” Main at the Quaker State Indoor Dirt Grands, with a 7th place finish…her first time on dirt!

Throughout her career in quarter midgets, Shannon earned a reputation for being a very clean and extremely consistent driver, as well as very fast…always finishing in the top 4 in the regional points, with several 2nd place seasons, losing one championship to “throw outs” (not counting your 2 worst finishes). After her sixth season, Shannon decided she was ready for more. McIntosh motorsports said goodbye to the many friends in the quarter midget community they had spent countless weekends with, and made the move up to 270cc Micro Sprints.

Shannon made the move to the 270cc Micros when she was only 11 years old. Most of the drivers that Shannon would be racing against would be men in their 20’s and 30’s. Shannon would spend her first 2 seasons in the micro at 35 raceway; a 1/5 mile clay oval in Chillicothe, Ohio. Shannon adapted quickly to the bigger car and knew right away that she really liked the dirt! The first year at 35 was more of a challenge for Shannon’s dad, Tim. “We did pretty well on set-ups, but had a hard time keeping the motors together.” Finishing a respectable 9th in points her first year, by the end of the season it was clear that both Shannon and Tim were figuring it out, and getting faster each week.

The next season at 35 Shannon emerged at one of the “fast guys”, running up front on a weekly basis. Consistent top 5 finishes, and several heat race wins. Even after missing 4 races, Shannon finished 4th in the points, and was voted “Most Improved Driver”. Shannon’s ability on the race track didn’t go unnoticed. At seasons end she would be offered a ride in a 600 Mini sprint by car owner Chris Smalley. Shannon had no trouble at all adapting to the bigger car, and more aggressive driving styles of many of the drivers in the class. The 600’s at 35 Raceways were an action packed class that saw over 30 cars per week, with only 20 making the show. Shannon was immediately able to run in the top 10. Shannon also ran her micro sprint in 2003. She made appearances at Midway Speedway, a 3/8 mile high bank with red clay. The Micros would reach speeds in excess of 100 mph. Shannon also raced at Waynesfield Motorsports Park near Lima, Ohio where she won 2 feature events. She also had a 2nd and 3rd place finish at Waynesfield. The final race of 2003 was a non-wing race at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana. The event was the $1000 to win Brennon Kaylor Memorial. After a very impressive 2nd place finish, Shannon was approached by Bill Jones of Louisville, Kentucky and offered a ride in a 600 mini sprint in Salem, Indiana.

In 2004, the only place to race would be Deerfield Raceway near Akron, Ohio. With the expense of travel and tow vehicle troubles, Shannon was only able to make 4 visits to Deerfield. Shannon turned a lot of heads at Deerfield with all finishes top tens out of up to 27 cars. Shannon would finish the year in outstanding fashion with a return visit to Lawrenceburg and total domination of the 3 day event. Shannon finished 2nd on Friday night and had back to back feature wins on Saturday and Sunday.

Long before the 2004 season Shannon and her parents knew that the next step for Shannon was an obvious one…USAC! The first race in the Ford Focus series was in August of 2005…at trip to the Spreedrome in Indiana would be a tune up for her first Midwest series start at Kentucky Speedway. After being collected in an accident involving two other drivers, a flat right front tire would force her out of the event.

Shannon and her team with the support of former IRL team owner Dale Pelfrey would rebound at Anderson Speedway. A lot of progress was made at the two day even and Shannon would come from the back and bring home a top ten finish in her second series start. 2006 would be Shannon’s first full season running a Ford Focus Midget. After the completion of her rookie season in the Indiana Ford Focus Midget Series, 17 year old Shannon McIntosh could very well be labeled “Miss Excitement”. She finished off the ’06 season 5th in points and the highest ranking female in both the Midwest Pavement and Indiana series’. She captured heat race win at both Mt. Lawn Speedway and Anderson Speedway as well as a 3rd place podium finish at Mt. Lawn on June 7th, she continues to impress. Shannon