Carly Wolf: DragChamp Racer Spotlight

Carly Wolf is in this week’s DragChamp Racer Spotlight. Learn all about this DragChamp Pro Member in her spotlight below!

LUMBERTON, NJ- Carly Wolf started drag racing back in 2014 after being introduced to the sport by her parents. Unlike most people her age, she skipped Junior Dragsters and made her first passes down the race track in a door car. She grew up watching Pinks: All Out on the Speed channel, and had gone to Atco Dragway a few times when she was young with her dad to watch the races. Her dad decided to get her started racing in Atco’s High School Challenge. His goal was to take Carly to the track so she could become a better driver, but once she went down the track, she was hooked for life.

Carly currently competes in NHRA Super Street and also races Super Pro on any NHRA off weekends. Since her home track, Atco Dragway, closed, she will be racing at Maple Grove, Cecil County, and US 13 Dragway next season.

Her Race Car

Carly’s current race car is a 1989 Ford Mustang powered by a 8.2 deck small block Ford 363 with a Select Converter and Select C4 transmission built by her dad. It’s been in the high 9 second range in the ¼ mile. She has owned the car since 2016 where it started out as a high 10 second Pro ET car and slowly morphed into the car she runs in Super Street now. 

She is also building a 2006 Don Davis dragster to run in NHRA Super Comp and Top Dragster. It is powered by a 560 Big Block Chevy built by Badman Racing Engines. 

Racing Highlights

• 2015 Atco Dragway High School Champion
• 2015 Cecil County Dragway High School Champion
• 2016 Island Dragway Modern Muscle Champion
• 2020 Division 1 Top Ten finish in Super Street
• 2021 Mid Atlantic .90 Association Super Street Winner

Outside of Racing

When Carly isn’t behind the wheel of her race car, she works as a fourth grade general education teacher and trains 6-days a week at the gym. Her favorite music is rock, heavy metal, and alternative. She loves old school Metallica, Breaking Benjamin, and Disturbed. When Carly gets the chance to watch TV, her go to show is Netflix’s Drive to Survive. 

Carly’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

I would love to compete in the Spring Fling races! It’s a goal of mine to get the car out there one day and race for those big purses. I would also love to race The Strip at Vegas and win some division titles. 

What is your favorite race car, and why?

My 2007 Mustang GT is my favorite race car because it’s what I got my start in. When I first started racing that car it was one of the most inconsistent cars you could imagine, but it turned into a deadly combination earning me a significant amount of money to pay for the foxbody I race now. Unfortunately, I don’t race that car much anymore, but it’s always so nostalgic to even drive it around on the street and remember all the races I won with it at Atco, E-Town, and Island. 

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

My Dad, by far, has made the biggest impact on my racing success. He does pretty much everything when it comes to building the car and I couldn’t do this without him. I definitely don’t get off easy as I’m responsible for anything with the delay box, throttle stop, and getting the car race ready (I like it this way), but he’s fantastic at helping me quickly diagnose and fix any issue that happens, so I can always stay racing because he is my engine builder after all. He taught me how to be independent with the operation and not have to rely on him for everything which has translated into overcoming any adversity thrown our way.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

I definitely look up to Leah Pruett because she had a similar start to mine. It was a very humble beginning for her and she had to work super hard to get to where she is. It shows that hard work means everything in the long run.

Tell us what you do for a living?

I am a fourth grade general education teacher. I try, when I can, to incorporate racing and teach them how it can relate to the core subjects (a speed lesson with hot wheels was a big hit a couple of years ago).  They are always excited to hear about my races!

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.?

Other than teaching, I will usually do some extra tutoring on the side or sell any clothes I don’t wear anymore on Poshmark (it really does work!).

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why?

I never really get concerned about who is in the other lane. I always think about it as trying to be as perfect as you can be for a given amount of seconds. I’ve beaten the best and lost to some people I shouldn’t have lost to. It’s mostly a sport of preparation and the goal is to be more prepared than the person next to you regardless of who it is. 

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

The cost! Finding marketing partners in this economy is super challenging so trying to be super smart with my money so I can afford to race is the trickiest part. 

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Spending time with my family and other racers. During the week with work we’re just super tired and we’re discussing our work day and a little bit of how we’re going to prepare for the race weekend. But, when we go to the racetrack, we’re all  business and it’s great to talk just about racing with people who actually understand racing. It’s too hard to talk about racing with people who don’t race, as sometimes they just don’t understand,  so spending those couple days with people who get the racing life style is the best part. 

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

I hate to lose. Winning is great and it’s one of the best feelings ever, but there is nothing worse than losing a race when you know you could’ve done better that round. 

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line?

I think I’m better on the starting line mostly because I feel I’m more consistent there. I feel like finish line driving is a skill that takes a long time to master because you need to find your own style. 

What motivates you to continue racing?

I’m a naturally motivated person where I am always pushing myself to do better. After every race I look to see what I could improve on and make that my goal for my next race to do better. 

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like?  Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

If money were no object I would race as many big money bracket races as I could. I would also love to have a Top Sportsman Mustang. 

How often do you use a practice tree?

Almost daily in the off season to stay on top of it!

What is your daily driver?

My daily driver is my 2017 F-150. My goal is to also bring back my 2007 Mustang and 2002 Camaro to the road so I can have some fun cars to drive back and forth to school. 

Besides racing, what do you do in your free time?

Besides racing, I’m usually in the gym. I’m there 6 days a week in the morning. It’s the best part of my day when I’m not racing!

What are you really good at?

I’m really good at managing my time and completing tasks quickly. I struggle to maintain focus, so I have to manage my time effectively which helps me move through tasks quickly. 

Name one thing most people don’t know about you?

I was a dancer for 15 years before I started racing.  I danced at my local studio as well as on my High School dance team for 4 years.  In my junior year on the team we were the National High School champion in small varsity kick.

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home?

A quiet evening at home, I don’t like to be around a lot of people. Too many people is overstimulating. 

What’s your favorite thing to eat?  Individual item, meal, or restaurant?

I love ice cream! Coffee ice cream is my favorite. But ice cream is super high in calories, so I’ve been swapping it out for chocolate protein shakes lately.

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

I would like to thank my parents, especially, my Dad since he is crucial in keeping this operation going as well as Jamie Bennett.  I met Jamie at Atco when I first started racing (he used to run the lanes) and he has been a huge part of helping us with our operation over the years.  He takes a big load off my Dad by handling a lot of the everyday issues we come across so my Dad can focus on doing what he needs to do.  Actually we’ve met some really great people since I started and I wish I could thank them all. There were so many people who went out of their way when I first started ( & still do) to help us in one way or another and I appreciate all the help and support they’ve given me!

I also have some great marketing partners to help with our program: Team Z Motorsports, Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants, Jesel Valvetrain, Ryno Power, Windsor Automotive, Fonse Performance, Select Performance, Liberty Engine Parts, Wire Care, Ben Pilla Speed Shop, and Axle Exchange. 

What is a piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring racer?

The most important thing is go out to the race track and make connections. You never know who you’re going to meet and who will help you. Most racers welcome the chance to help new people as they are the future of the sport.  It’s not always easy but it is so worthwhile!

For more DragChamp racer spotlights, click here.

Want to become a DragChamp Pro Member like Carly? Check out the details here.