NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Happy Spooky Season to those who celebrate! This month our featured athlete is a hard worker who is making her own path and kicking down doors along the way. In an industry dominated by men, she could care less and takes the phrase all gas, no brakes to heart. She has been behind the wheel of a race car longer than most of us have been walking. We head down to Florida and get to know a race car driver on the rise. Let’s get to know Logan Misuraca!
Joe Cardoso: So racing, was it love at first sight seeing your dad and grandfather race, or something that happened over time?
Logan Misuraca: The first race I ever went to was at just a few months old as a newborn, I grew up around the noise, the chaos, the fumes, the passion, and the danger. I never knew anything different! I loved the atmosphere, the fans, and the people associated with racing, and it always felt like HOME.
I was finally put behind the wheel at age 4 and raced every so often but my mother was stern about putting me in dance, due to her fears of me getting hurt behind the wheel if I was racing every weekend, so I continued very competitive dance until I was 17, traveling the world, winning titles, but I always knew I wanted to race full time. Right after I graduated high school, I told my mom I was done dancing and I wanted to go where my passion truly lay and that is when I started racing every weekend!
JC: It is a long road to make the major circuit how do you stay positive and keep the main thing, the
main thing?
LM: It’s a long road of trial and error. It’s the perfect craft of skill and knowledge between racing and business. I have had my own personal hardships in my journey due to being a female, not coming from family money, and gaining respect from competitors and industry personnel.
It was NOT easy. There were many things in my early career that caused me to doubt myself, my place in this world, and my self-image. Mental Health became a huge focus after being tested with depression and ideation, I realized the only person letting me down was MYSELF.
If I wanted something to change, I had to be the one to change it, If I wanted something done, I had to be the one to do it. “All you need is YOU” is my own personal mantra, it keeps me focused on what I want and getting it done, with ZERO regard to outside opinions.
JC: What was the reaction from family and friends when you decided to make this a career?
LM: My father was obviously THROUGH THE ROOF! He was so excited and very supportive to watch me follow my dreams. My mother on the other hand was sooo nervous! She used to get sick at my races out of nerves that her little girl would get hurt, but after about a year she grew to be my biggest Race Fan, and she’s the one screaming through the guard wire and gets fired up!
JC: No one ever talks about it, but NASCAR and racing in general is big business. How do you
approach getting sponsors and building your brand?
LM: I’ve always said racing is 99% business, and 1% skill and speed. I had to learn this at a very young age for my family didn’t have much money, and if I wanted to go race, I had to raise enough money to go. This was definitely another trial-and-error journey for me, but with sponsors, I focus on what I can offer the business rather than what they can give me.
Along with making sure your business values align; we build a marketing strategy to help us both. Being a decal on the race car is just for advertisement but there is so much more behind the scenes that goes into a successful partnership. I built my personal brand on staying true to myself, and my audience. I prize being open, authentic, and HONEST with my audience because, at the end of the day, this is a journey and the love and support from my fans is what drives me to keep digging’.
JC: Is racing in your opinion more mental than physical and how so?
LM: MENTAL! Physical does play a part but the MIND is much stronger than the
BODY. If you go into a race with any sort of doubts, your results will show for it. To have that mental edge and knowledge of how to control your machine, and what scenario will end in the best outcome is the true Craft of racing.
JC: Being a woman in a male-dominated field is hard. Have you seen improvement since you first
stepped on the track?
LM: The acceptance of women in NASCAR has grown immensely. We still have more work to do in the public eye, but from competitor to competitor it’s a mutual agreement to earn your respect. NASCAR has made leaps and bounds, and there are women in this industry in every department and it really proves the fact that NASCAR is a huge family sport. We area unit.
JC: You have an amazing foundation for mental health. Can you talk about it and why is this a cause
close to your heart?
LM: I created 1 in a Million to bring Mental Health Awareness to the motorsports industry. With racing being a “Badass” sport, I think a lot of the athletes, and members feel discouraged to be vulnerable enough to talk about their mental journeys. I chose to share my own personal Mental Health journey with the world, and I aim to encourage others to be free of the stigma and take charge of their mental wellness.
As someone who has experienced suicidal ideation from many unfortunate events in my life, the most important thing to lift your spirits is to TALK, just talk about it, talk to someone, confide in someone. I am very passionate in my belief ALL athletes, need therapist guidance, there is always something going on in everyone’s lives, and if I can lift up at least one person and be their shoulder, one at a time, the world is already a better place.
JC: Don’t give it all away but what else do you have planned before the end of 2024?
LM: Sadly, we don’t have any more races on the schedule for 2024. The plan is to build partnerships and find sponsors for the 2025 season to be back on track doing what I love each week.
JC: As a former dancer, I have to ask! What song gets Logan on the dance floor no matter what?
LM: OOOOO!! Temperature by Sean Paul! Childhood CLASSIC!
JC: Who is Logan Misuraca?
LM: Logan Misuraca is a very bubbly, outgoing, and talkative character. I am someone who stays transparent with the world, unapologetically myself (if you don’t like it, then it’s just not for you:)), hardcore at the skin, but has a big heart and wants to make a difference. Motivate the younger generation, being there to open up to be a strong role model for the future of NASCAR. Logan Misuraca is a small-town girl, from a blue-collar household, just chasing a dream.
How someone can read her story and not get fired up to get up and chase their own dream I can’t understand. I want to thank Logan for her time and for sharing her journey so far. Now next year I have someone in the racing world to follow and you should too. Keep up with her latest on her social media channels:
Instagram: @loganmisuraca
TikTok: @loganmisuraca1
Facebook: @LoganMisuracaRacing
website: www.LoganMisuraca.com
As 2024 comes to a close how closer to that dream of yours are you? What will you do to end the year on a high note and grab it? Until next time stay positive and don’t take no for an answer.
