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Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Celebrates Women In Motorsports

By on August 7, 2023 in In The Press, Press Releases

Track Officials Honor Dr. Rose Mattioli’s Legacy with Namesake Scholarship and Award Two Scholarships to Attend the Annual Women with Drive Summit

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix celebrates women in motorsports this past weekend in Nashville.
Photo Credit:   Ryan Carignan

NASHVILLE, TN – August 7, 2023 – Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (BMMCGP) and Women in Motorsports North America, a community of professionals devoted to enabling opportunities for women across all motorsport disciplines, recognized female motorsports industry members, and the men who support them, this weekend in Victory Circle.

Additionally, two scholarships were awarded to Big Machine Music City Grand Prix employees in memory of Dr. Rose Mattioli. A trailblazer for women and families in motorsports, the late Dr. Rose and her husband, Dr. Joseph ‘Doc’ Mattioli, co-founded Pocono Raceway in 1968, a family-owned-and-operated business.

“It’s a privilege for us to be able to honor women trailblazers, like Dr. Rose Mattioli, with the creation of a scholarship for women in motorsports to this year’s Women with Drive III Summit this fall,” said Matt Crews, CEO of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “Additionally, Rose’s son, Joe, was instrumental in starting what is now known as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. So to honor his contribution and her legacy was important to us. As a father of a daughter who can look at a career in motorsports, it is really important that we raise awareness with prospects, and it goes back to pioneers like Dr. Rose who helped forge opportunities.”

Crews was joined by Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s Jason Rittenberry (President and COO) and Liz Allison (EVP) along with Joe Mattioli, son of Rose and Doc Mattioli, and Cindy Sisson, Executive Director of Women in Motorsports North America, to present scholarships to two multi-year employees of Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Molly Hayes and Sarah Wahlstrom. Hayes is the Client Services Manager, and Wahlstrom is the Operations Administration Manager. Hayes and Wahlstrom, who started as interns for the organization, were presented with scholarships to attend the Women with Drive III Summit in November.

“Rose was so special and cared about all families,” said Liz Allison, Executive Vice President of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.  “I know many of us really miss her, and she’s left quite the legacy. It’s really exciting for us to be able to send two women to the summit in Phoenix, and I’m thrilled to be standing here with Cindy Sisson and Jason Rittenberry today to be able to honor the winners and celebrate all women and the men who support us in motorsports today.”

As part of its commitment to supporting and enhancing opportunities for women across all motorsport disciplines, Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) created the Women with Drive Summit.  Attendees include industry executives, drivers, team members, manufacturers, sponsors, race track representatives, and anyone working in the sport or wanting to learn more. The inaugural summit was held during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix weekend in Aug. 2021.

“My mother was constantly fighting for ‘Women’s Rights’ long before it was popular and won numerous awards for her efforts,” said Joe Mattioli, son of Rose and Doc Mattioli and former consultant of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “While my dad was an incredible businessman, my mother taught me important life lessons about honesty, bravery, hard work, compassion, family values, not being afraid to fail, treating everyone with respect, and much more.”

Hayes and Wahlstrom will now have the opportunity to gather with industry leaders (male and female) from across all forms of motorsports to discuss current issues and network during the two-day summit slated for November 7 – 8, 2023, at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona following the final NASCAR Cup Series race of the season.

“This is an amazing day, and I’m so happy for the recipients,” said Cindy Sisson, the executive director of Women in Motorsports North America. “It all started here, and I have to credit Matt (Crews). He called me before his inaugural race and told me to ‘think big’ because so few people promote women in motorsports, so we thought big and held our first conference here in Nashville two years ago. I’m very thankful that Matt and his team are honoring these women and partnering with our organization.”

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix L-R:  Matt Crews, Sarah Wahlstrom, Molly Hayes and Jason Rittenberry
Photo Credit:   Michael Levitt

ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series, and Stadium SUPER Trucks. For more information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
ABOUT WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS NORTH AMERICA (WIMNA):
Women in Motorsports North America is a community of professionals devoted to enabling opportunities for women across all motorsport disciplines. Founded as a 501c3 in April 2022, WIMNA is quickly establishing its positive impact on motorsports supporting and creating resources that enable women drivers, technicians, engineers, operations staff, business-related, media, and more to thrive in the industry. Best known for its Women with Drive Summit held each year, WIMNA also provides resources, mentorship, coaching, career connections, and more. Learn more at www.womeninmotorsportsna.com.

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The Onsite Foundation Will Honor Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell At Annual INSPIRE Event 

By on September 5, 2018 in In The Press

The Onsite Foundation announced today that their annual INSPIRE event will honor Live Nation’s President of Country Touring Brian O’Connell and his Nashville team with their 2018 Inspiration Award, taking place October 23 at Marathon Music Works.  The special evening will recognize O’Connell’s ongoing commitment to helping the victims and families of the Oct. 1 tragedy in Las Vegas. The Onsite Foundation has created a 100% Scholarship, trauma and grief intensive program specifically for those who lost loved ones and proceeds from INSPIRE will benefit this directly, helping to find healing through mental health resources. To purchase tickets and sponsorships packages visit here: https://give.classy.org/inspire.

“The Onsite Foundation more than doubled its’ impact last year thanks to the success of this event,” said Miles Adcox, CEO of The Onsite Foundation. “With this momentum, a new important idea was born to help change the way we have historically responded to mass tragedies in our country. We are circling back over a year after the Route 91 Harvest Festival to offer Onsite’s world class proven grief and trauma intensives for free to all who lost a loved one that day. The country music industry is known for doing things differently and this will be no exception. I’ve spent a lot of time with Brian O’ Connell since October 1st of last year and I’ve never seen someone in his position care so much about helping the fans and music community recover and heal. He and his team have spent countless hours in support of these efforts. He was the last to want this honor but the first to raise his hand when he heard how the proceeds would help the families.”

“The work that The Onsite Foundation does is so important,” said Brian O’Connell. “I’m a huge advocate of seeking help when you need it, and so our philosophies are very much in line with each other. I’m so inspired by my team for their strength this past year and thankful to be a part of raising more funds for a shared cause so close to us all.”

About The Onsite Foundation:
The Onsite Foundation provides funding to vulnerable populations including , victims of mass tragedies, refugees, veterans, first responders, creatives, and every day people needing mental health resources. This aids in the healing and rebuilding of those who struggle from the effects of trauma, abuse, stress, mental-health and relationship issues.  Inspire is an event honoring and celebrating the creative community and the individuals who give their heart and soul to make it what it is. This energy and culture is made possible by the tireless efforts of those who use their platforms to make an impact by giving back to their communities and inspiring those in need. Past recipients include Troy Tomlinson, Tracie and Scott Hamilton, Rod Essig and Pete Fisher. Past performers include Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Big & Rich, Ashley Monroe, LeAnn Rimes, and many more.  For more information, visit: https://inspirenashville.net/about/.

About Brian O’Connell:
President of Country Music Touring for Live Nation, Brian O’Connell is first and foremost a music fan. His passion for the artist, live shows and the fan experience remains engrained in his award-winning career of more than 25 years. O’Connell not only has a hand in some of the most important careers in country music, but has helped to revolutionize country touring. Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt and many more are part of his growing tour legacy. He developed the innovative and successful Country Megaticket, and continues to grow a vibrant festival division, including Watershed Music And Camping Festival, Faster Horses, Country LakeShake, Tortuga Music Festival and Seven Peaks Music Festival.  In 2018, O’Connell was honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award and he is a eight-time winner of the Academy of Country Music’s Promoter of the Year award – more than any other promoter. He is a four-time winner of the Country Music Association’s Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year award. In 2013 he was named Promoter of the Year by IEBA (the international Entertainment Buyers Association) and recognized by the industry’s leading tour source Pollstar with the 2006 Bill Graham Promoter of the Year Award, as well as the 2017, 2014 and 2013 Talent Buyer of the Year award.

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