THE ONE ON TRACK

Carrie Coombs Russell, Morgantown

CEO of MXSports, president of RacerTV and RacerX, and the women behind Motocross Nationals

LIFE CYCLE

“When you grow up in a family business that races motorcycles, why would you do anything else? Racing keeps families together. That’s why my family is still in it. All the big companies were in California, and there was a big push for us to head west. My parents refused. They loved West Virginia, and now we can live anywhere and conduct business. This is a state that welcomes motorsports.”

COVID SAFETY TRAILBLAZER

“We created a safety race task force and selected 40 people and designated different areas involving a race—everything from the front gate and back gate to concessions and track safety—and we put together a toolkit. We shared it nationwide: not just motocross promoters, but any kind of motorsport promoter. We were the first professional sport that got back on track. It’s the only way the industry was going to survive.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

“We started the Mountaineer race a couple years ago at the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve, the Bechtel Reserve. What a wonderful place! It’s the best-kept secret in West Virginia. Our Adventure On! Freedom Fest is planned for the weekend of September 11—it’s going to be the biggest event in West Virginia this year.”

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER 2021 WEST VIRGINIA WONDER WOMEN

Learn more about our Wonder Women

Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.