Bertha Small

Car Owner
CLASS OF 2009
Veterans Committee Selection

Bertha Small was born in Czechoslovakia, then moved to New York, and finally landed in Fall River, Mass. She purchased a gas station in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she became involved in racing as a car owner.

From 1950 to 1961, Bertha raced her #32 coupes at Seekonk Speedway, Norwood Arena, Kingstown, Waterford Speedbowl and Lonsdale Speedway. Drivers who piloted her cars included Jack Foley, Joe McNulty, Cy Yates, Red Bolduc and Hop Harrington.

Bertha raced at a time when many tracks still denied women access into the pits. As a result, she would often have to run the team from outside the pit fence, issuing orders to the men on her crew though the fence. She is a pioneer for women’s involvement in auto racing at the local level in New England.

Her early involvement in the sport has had a lasting effect on New England racing, as women’s involvement on the competitive side of auto racing continues to grow.