Denise McCluggage: Pioneering Racing Driver and Automotive Journalist

When I think about true pioneers in motorsport, Denise McCluggage stands at the front of the grid. Born in 1927, she smashed through barriers in racing during an era when women were expected to watch from the sidelines, not compete behind the wheel. McCluggage wasn’t just an exceptional racer who went toe-to-toe with legends like Stirling Moss and Phil Hill, but also revolutionized automotive journalism, bringing a competitor’s insight to her writing that few could match.

Her career reads like fiction but was gloriously real—racing Ferraris at Sebring, winning her class at Monte Carlo, and covering motorsport for publications when women weren’t even allowed in some press boxes. The pioneering auto racer and journalist who passed away in 2015 at age 88 left behind a legacy that extends far beyond trophies and bylines.

What made McCluggage extraordinary wasn’t just her skill behind the wheel or her pen, but her refusal to accept the limitations others tried to place on her. In motorsport’s golden age, she wore her iconic polka-dot helmet and raced against the world’s best while simultaneously documenting the culture and characters that made this sport so captivating.

Early Life and Background

Denise McCluggage’s journey from small-town Kansas to becoming a pioneering figure in automotive journalism and racing was shaped by her early education and growing passion for both writing and motorsports.

Beginnings in Journalism

Born in El Dorado, Kansas in 1927, McCluggage showed promise early on. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Mills College in Oakland, California in 1947, she quickly launched her journalism career.

Her exceptional intellect and writing talents helped her break into a male-dominated field when women reporters were rare. McCluggage secured positions at influential publications like the San Francisco Chronicle and later the prestigious New York Herald Tribune.

As a sports reporter, she developed a reputation for insightful coverage and a distinctive voice. Her work stood out not just because she was a woman in a man’s world, but because of her genuine talent for storytelling.

A Passion for Cars and Driving

McCluggage’s fascination with automobiles emerged alongside her journalism career, eventually becoming her defining passion. By the 1950s, she wasn’t content merely reporting on racing – she wanted to participate.

In an era when women faced significant barriers in motorsports, McCluggage boldly stepped into the driver’s seat. Her first joke at age five was about a car, perhaps foreshadowing her future.

What set McCluggage apart was her dual identity as both a respected automotive journalist and a legitimate competitor on the track. This unique perspective gave her writing authenticity that few could match.

She approached racing with the same dedication as her writing, competing against male drivers and earning their respect through skill rather than special treatment.

Motorsports Career

Denise McCluggage broke barriers in the male-dominated world of motorsports, establishing herself as both a formidable competitor and a respected racing journalist. Her distinctive racing career spanned multiple continents and prestigious events, earning her recognition that would eventually lead to her induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Notable Races and Achievements

McCluggage’s racing resume reads like a global tour of prestigious motorsports events. In 1957, she claimed a class win at the Grand Prix of Venezuela, demonstrating her competitive edge against seasoned international drivers.

Her crowning achievement came in 1961 when she won her class at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally, becoming one of few American drivers—and even fewer women—to accomplish this feat.

She also competed at the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring multiple times, often partnering with other female drivers to show that women could endure the physical demands of endurance racing.

The Nürburgring in Germany and other European circuits became familiar territory for McCluggage, who raced alongside icons like Phil Hill and Stirling Moss. Her racing career wasn’t just about participation—it was about competitive excellence at the highest levels.

Driving Style and Techniques

McCluggage developed a driving style characterized by smoothness and precision rather than brute force. She understood that maintaining momentum through corners often yielded better results than aggressive acceleration and braking.

Her technique emphasized reading the track conditions with unusual perception. She famously noted that “a car talks to you if you’re willing to listen,” reflecting her intuitive approach to vehicle control.

Unlike many of her more aggressive contemporaries, McCluggage prioritized car preservation during endurance events. This calculated approach often allowed her to outlast competitors whose vehicles suffered from overly aggressive handling.

Her background as a skier influenced her racing technique, particularly in rallying, where she applied similar principles of weight transfer and balance to navigate challenging terrain.

The Cars She Drove

McCluggage’s racing career featured an impressive lineup of performance machines. She developed a particular affinity for Italian thoroughbreds, racing Ferrari 250 GTs with particular success in the early 1960s.

Her relationship with Porsche produced some of her finest performances, including her Monte Carlo Rally class victory behind the wheel of a Porsche 711. The German manufacturer’s precision engineering complemented her driving style perfectly.

She also piloted the elegant Jaguar XK140 during several American races, showcasing her versatility across different vehicle platforms.

In her later competitive years, McCluggage raced the nimble Alfa Romeo Giulietta and various Maserati models, demonstrating her adaptability to different handling characteristics. Each vehicle represented not just a racing tool but a relationship she described in her distinctive journalistic voice.

Impact on Women in Racing

McCluggage never saw herself as a “female driver” but simply as a “driver,” an attitude that helped normalize women’s participation in motorsports. Her success created tangible proof that women could compete effectively against men in racing.

She faced significant barriers, including being barred from the pit areas at certain races simply because she was a woman. Her persistence in overcoming these obstacles paved the way for future generations.

Her dual role as racer and journalist gave her a unique platform to advocate for equality in racing without being overtly political—she let her driving make the statement.

Young female drivers often sought McCluggage’s mentorship, and she freely offered guidance based on her experiences navigating both the technical aspects of racing and the social challenges of being a pioneering woman in the sport.

Journalistic Endeavors

Denise McCluggage’s writing career was as impressive as her racing one. She broke barriers in automotive journalism with her insightful reporting and helped create publications that would shape the industry for decades.

Coverage of Motorsports

Long before she became a racing legend, McCluggage established herself as a pioneering journalist. In the early 1950s, she joined the New York Herald Tribune as a sports reporter when female writers were rare in newsrooms—and practically unheard of in motorsports coverage.

What set McCluggage apart wasn’t just her gender. She brought a unique perspective to racing journalism by combining technical knowledge with firsthand experience behind the wheel. Unlike most writers covering racing events, she actually competed in many of them.

Her writing style was distinctive—clear, insightful, and without the hyperbole that often plagued automotive journalism. She could explain complex racing concepts to casual readers while still satisfying hardcore enthusiasts.

Establishing Competition Press

In 1958, McCluggage co-founded Competition Press, a groundbreaking publication that would evolve into something much bigger. The paper initially focused exclusively on motorsports news at a time when mainstream media gave racing minimal coverage.

Under her guidance, Competition Press delivered serious, in-depth racing journalism. The publication quickly became essential reading for racing enthusiasts who couldn’t get this specialized coverage elsewhere.

McCluggage’s vision for Competition Press was clear: create legitimate journalism about motorsports that respected readers’ intelligence. She insisted on accurate reporting, technical precision, and honest analysis when the field was often dominated by promotional puff pieces.

The publication’s success demonstrated McCluggage’s understanding that American racing fans deserved sophisticated coverage of their sport.

Contributions to AutoWeek

When Competition Press evolved into AutoWeek, McCluggage remained its driving force. Her regular columns became must-reads for automotive enthusiasts across America.

As senior contributing editor, she shaped AutoWeek’s voice and coverage priorities. Her influence helped transform what began as a racing newspaper into a comprehensive automotive publication that covered industry news, vehicle reviews, and cultural trends.

McCluggage’s AutoWeek writing displayed remarkable range. One week she might analyze Formula 1 aerodynamics; the next, she’d share insights about a vintage car gathering. Her columns were characterized by both technical expertise and genuine enthusiasm.

Her longevity at AutoWeek was remarkable. While many journalists’ careers fade after a decade or two, McCluggage remained relevant and insightful for over 60 years, writing for the publication until her death in 2015.

Photography and Writing

Denise McCluggage’s talents extended far beyond the race track as she captured the world through her camera lens and captivated readers with her distinctive writing voice. Her dual expertise in visual storytelling and written word helped define automotive journalism for generations.

Photographic Contributions

McCluggage’s eye for composition made her photographs worth collecting. Her work behind the camera often captured candid moments in racing that others missed—the tension in a driver’s face before a race, the blur of motion as cars rounded corners, the celebration and heartbreak in the pits.

Unlike many photographers of her era, McCluggage brought the unique perspective of someone who had been behind the wheel herself. This insider knowledge gave her images an authenticity that resonated with racing enthusiasts.

Her photography website continued to showcase and sell her work long after her racing days ended. The images serve as historical documents of motorsport’s golden age, preserving moments that might otherwise have been lost to time.

Authoring ‘By Brooks Too Broad for Leaping’

“By Brooks Too Broad for Leaping” stands as one of McCluggage’s most significant literary achievements. The book showcased her ability to craft narratives beyond the conventional racing story, exploring the philosophical aspects of competition and the human spirit.

The title, borrowed from A.E. Housman’s poetry, reflected McCluggage’s literary sensibilities and her understanding that racing represented something deeper than merely driving fast. Her prose style combined technical precision with emotional resonance.

In the book, she wove personal experiences with broader observations about life’s challenges, using racing as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles. Her voice remained authentic throughout—neither overly technical nor dumbed down—making complex concepts accessible to casual readers while satisfying hardcore racing enthusiasts.

Column ‘Drive, She Said’

McCluggage’s long-running column “Drive, She Said” became a must-read fixture in automotive journalism. The clever title, playing on the 1970 film “Drive, He Said,” perfectly encapsulated her pioneering role as a woman in a male-dominated field.

In her columns, McCluggage covered everything from driving tips to vehicle reviews and travel pieces. Her writing style balanced technical knowledge with everyday practicality. She never talked down to readers while making complex automotive concepts clear.

What set her column apart was her ability to bring cars to life on the page. Where other journalists might focus solely on horsepower figures and 0-60 times, McCluggage captured the feeling of driving. She showed the connection between human and machine that makes car enthusiasm more than a hobby.

Her writing career spanned decades, beginning in the 1950s and continuing well into the digital age. Her work eventually reached online audiences through her website.

Legacy and Honors

Denise McCluggage’s impact on automotive journalism and motorsports extends far beyond her racing career. She cemented her place as one of the most influential figures in the industry through numerous recognitions and a lasting influence that continues today.

Influence on Automotive Journalism

McCluggage didn’t just participate in the automotive world—she transformed how it was covered. As a journalist and photographer, she brought a competitor’s insight to her writing that few could match. Her work at publications like the New York Herald Tribune and later as a founding contributor to AutoWeek set new standards for automotive reporting.

What made McCluggage special wasn’t just her skill behind the wheel but her ability to translate complex racing concepts into accessible prose. She rejected the detached style common among journalists of her era. Instead, she wrote with authority derived from firsthand experience.

Her approach to automotive journalism—combining technical knowledge with compelling storytelling—created a template that countless writers have followed since.

Automotive Hall of Fame Induction

In recognition of her pioneering contributions, McCluggage was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, a rare honor that acknowledged both her racing achievements and journalistic excellence. Her induction broke barriers as one of the few women to receive this prestigious recognition.

The Hall of Fame specifically highlighted how she was “instrumental in legitimizing women in automotive journalism and motorsports.” They acknowledged her role as a trailblazer during an era when women were often relegated to the sidelines.

Her acceptance into this exclusive institution validated what insiders had known for decades: few individuals had done more to advance both the practice and coverage of motorsports.

Continued Relevance in Motorsports

Even years after her death in 2015 at age 88, McCluggage’s influence remains evident throughout motorsports culture. Racing organizations and automotive publications regularly reference her groundbreaking career when discussing the evolution of the sport.

Her dual legacy as a racer and journalist continues to inspire women entering motorsports. Many current female drivers and automotive writers cite McCluggage as a personal hero and professional guidepost.

The prestigious Denise McCluggage Award, established in her honor, recognizes excellence in automotive journalism. The award exhibits the same passion and insight that characterized her work.

Her books, including “The Centered Skier” and “By Brooks Too Broad for Leaping,” remain in circulation, introducing new generations to her distinctive voice and perspective.