Street Car Takeover has officially named Sophie Wright as its new Director of Operations, marking a significant milestone in her journey with the series. What started as a fan experience in 2017 has now evolved into a leadership role in one of the nation’s premier street car drag racing events.
Wright, who has been deeply involved in the series for years, took to social media to announce her new role: “In 2025, I’m stepping into a bigger role with Street Car Takeover. Not much is changing on the surface—same events, same fast cars, same great people—except now I’ll be wearing a polo and answering more emails.”
Her involvement with SCT has been a progressive climb. From becoming an event partner in 2020 to marketing manager in 2022, Wright has been instrumental in growing the brand and ensuring smooth operations at events. Now, in 2025, she steps up to take on even more responsibility, working alongside co-founders Justin Keith and Chase Lautenbach to enhance the racer and fan experience.
“Justin and Chase have given me the reins, trusting me to implement new ideas while keeping racing exactly as it should be—fair, competitive, and undeniably exciting. I’m ready to bring fresh energy to the events, reinvesting heavily into what they’ve built over the last 12 years,” she added.
Street Car Takeover, founded in 2013 by Keith and Lautenbach, has become a must-attend event series for street car enthusiasts. The series features 1/4- and 1/8-mile drag racing, roll racing, burnout contests, and high-energy night meets, creating an immersive motorsports experience for racers and fans alike. With Wright stepping into her new role, SCT is poised for even more growth.
Her leadership will bring upgrades across the board, from event structure to racer support and even new merchandise. Wright is also maintaining her dedication to Women & Wheels, the growing platform she has cultivated for female racers.
“Women & Wheels isn’t going anywhere. Still mine. Still growing. Still thriving. I built a powerhouse team of incredible women to help me take W&W to the next level. The Point Series, customer service, social media, merch, booth duties, content creation? All handled by the best people for the job,” Wright said.
The Street Car Takeover brand has grown significantly over the past decade, thanks in large part to the vision of Keith and Lautenbach. Lautenbach, a longtime street racing enthusiast with connections to the likes of Cleetus McFarland and 1320 Video, has played a key role in sponsorship and business operations. Keith, an accomplished racer and performance shop owner, has been at the forefront of racer operations, ensuring SCT events deliver a premier racing experience. Together, they have built SCT into a national powerhouse, and with Wright now officially taking on an expanded role, the series is set to elevate even further.
Fans and racers alike can expect fresh ideas, improved event logistics, and a renewed focus on racer experience in 2025. With Wright at the helm of operations, SCT aims to deliver an even more engaging and competitive atmosphere at each event.
“You’ll see a ton of improvements and new features at events this season. We’re rolling out fresh ideas that will benefit racers, spectators, and sponsors alike. There are upgrades to the events, enhancements to the racing programs, and even some new merch coming.”
As Street Car Takeover gears up for its 2025 season, the addition of Wright as Director of Operations signals an exciting new chapter for the series and its dedicated racing community.
This story was originally published on February 17, 2025. 
