Maryeve Dufault

Dufault's father and brother raced motorcycles in Quebec.{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Daniel Edward|title=NASCAR gets a new, beautiful face|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/nascar_gets_new_beautiful_face_lvXIreEOL3g53rn8by4dmI|accessdate=1 February 2012|newspaper=New York Post|date=August 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/arca/news/maryeve-dufault-not-just-another-pretty-face-in-racing/|title=Maryeve Dufault, not just another pretty face in racing|last=Jennings|first=Joe|date=February 19, 2012|work=Motorsport.com|accessdate=2012-02-05|archive-date=2012-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603175548/http://www.motorsport.com/arca/news/maryeve-dufault-not-just-another-pretty-face-in-racing/|url-status=dead}} She began riding as a four-year-old, then racing motocross and turned to go-karts as an eight-year-old. By the time that she was nine years old she had broken both arms while racing. She began racing karts nationally in Canada and the United States in several series, including the Rotax International Series, winning several karting championships. She later moved up to formula racing, including Formula BMW USA, the Skip Barber Racing Series, Formula Russell, Formula Renault, Pro Star Mazda, and Formula 3, scoring podium finishes on several occasions, and captured victories in several series. Dufault has also performed precision driving for Honda, Polaris and Yamaha, and has also extensively tested Formula cars in China and Great Britain.{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/sports/interviews/182257-maryeve-dufault-the-model-nascar-driver|title=Maryeve Dufault - The Model NASCAR Driver|last=Lewinski|first=John Scott|date=February 2, 2012|work=Crave Online|publisher=Evolve Media Corp.|accessdate=2012-02-05|location=Los Angeles}}

Dufault began Stock Car racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2010 by racing in two events. She signed as a driver development contract with the FAZZT Race Team in 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.fazztraceteam.com/news/team-news/237-fazzt-race-team-begins-development-program-signs-canadian-maryeve-dufault-.html |title=FAZZT Race Team Begins Development Program Signs Canadian Maryeve Dufault |date=January 26, 2010 |publisher=FAZZT Race Team |accessdate=1 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129213017/http://www.fazztraceteam.com/news/team-news/237-fazzt-race-team-begins-development-program-signs-canadian-maryeve-dufault-.html |archivedate=January 29, 2010 }} and was the first female race car driver selected to be part of the Dodge Motorsport driver development program.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

File:MaryeveDufault2011DaytonaARCA.jpg

File:Maryeve Dufault Pocono 2011.jpg in 2011]]

In early testing of her ARCA Racing Series car at New Smyrna Speedway and Daytona International Speedway in January 2011, Dufault impressed NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski. She made her ARCA debut at Daytona in February 2011; by December she had made fourteen starts in the ARCA Racing Series with one top 10 and six top 13 in her first year in stock car racing; her first top 10 being a tenth-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway. She finished the ARCA season sixteenth in the series points standings,{{cite web|url=http://www.arcaracing.com/points.php?contentid=10474|title=Final 2011 Driver Point Standings, ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards|date=October 16, 2011|publisher=Automobile Racing Club of America|accessdate=2012-02-05}} despite missing five races during the season because of a lack of sponsorship.

Dufault made her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 20, 2011 driving for MacDonald Motorsports. As the team was in the top 30 in season car-owner points, she was guaranteed a starting position;{{cite web|title=Former Price is Right model Maryeve Dufault making NASCAR debut|url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2011-08-18/former-price-is-right-model-maryeve-dufault-racing-in-nascar|work=The Sporting News|accessdate=19 August 2011|archive-date=2012-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928222704/http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2011-08-18/former-price-is-right-model-maryeve-dufault-racing-in-nascar|url-status=dead}} she started 39th and finished 30th with a transmission mount broke.{{cite web|title=Maryeve Dufault|url=http://racing-reference.info/driver/Maryeve_Dufault|publisher=Racing Reference|accessdate=1 February 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2011/11/maryeve-dufault-talks-nascar-women-in-racing-dan-wheldon|title=Interview: Maryeve Dufault Talks NASCAR, Women in Racing & Dan Wheldon|last=Markovich|first=Tony|date=November 17, 2011|work=Complex.com|publisher=Complex Media Network|accessdate=2012-02-05|location=New York}} She was the first Canadian woman to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series since it took that name.{{cite web|title=Canadian driver, model set for Nationwide debut|url=http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/news/110817/maryeve-dufault-montreal-model-driver-stunt-woman/|work=NASCAR.com|publisher=Turner Sports|accessdate=18 August 2011|archive-date=21 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821003458/http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/news/110817/maryeve-dufault-montreal-model-driver-stunt-woman/|url-status=dead}} Dufault was listed as one of the "Top female drivers in racing today" by Fox Sports,{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/lists/Top-Female-drivers-in-racing-today#photo-title=Maryeve%20Dufault&photo=29710727|title=Top female drivers in racing today: Maryeve Dufault|date=January 11, 2012|work=Fox Sports|accessdate=2012-02-05}} and was also named as one of the "Top 12 Up-and-Coming Female Drivers in Motorsports" by Bleacher Report.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/671495-danica-patrick-and-the-top-12-up-and-coming-female-drivers-in-motorsports|title=Danica Patrick and the Top 12 Up-and-Coming Female Drivers in Motorsports|last=Schmidt|first=Russell|date=April 19, 2011|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=2012-02-05|location=San Francisco, California}} In addition, Dufault competed in the inaugural Dodge Viper Celebrity Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park in October 2011, competing alongside racing legends such as Roger Penske, Kurt Busch and Allen Johnson.{{cite web|url=http://www.media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=A6093F7DA82277A9CADDC118747F04E1?&id=11595&mid=80|title=Share Download Print 'The Duel in the Desert' – Inaugural 'Dodge Viper Celebrity Challenge' – Premieres on Versus at 3 p.m. (EDT) Sunday, Oct. 9|date=October 5, 2011|publisher=Chrysler Group|accessdate=2012-04-12}}

Dufault was featured on a Press Pass trading card in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.presspassinc.com/trading-cards/nascar/press-pass-total-memorabilia/2012-press-pass-total-memorabilia|title=2012 Press Pass Total Memorabilia|publisher=Press Pass, Inc.|accessdate=2012-02-06|archive-date=2012-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213224821/http://www.presspassinc.com/trading-cards/nascar/press-pass-total-memorabilia/2012-press-pass-total-memorabilia|url-status=dead}} A lack of sponsorship delayed the start of her 2012 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=12619|title=In the News: Dufault Still Pursuing Opportunities|date=April 10, 2012|publisher=Automobile Racing Club of America|accessdate=2012-04-12}}

In 2012, Dufault participated in the 'Drive for the Fans' social media contest, representing Fiat Abarth.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fiat-brand-kicks-off-drive-for-the-fans-social-media-contest-2012-04-20 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

After competing in three ARCA Racing Series events for Carter 2 Motorsports in 2012, Dufault joined Go Green Racing for the 2013 season, impressing the team during testing and being assigned to drive in a Nationwide Series race for the team at Chicagoland Speedway.{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/26/sports/mainers-nationwide-team-features-earnhardt-to-include-tv-model-as-drivers/|title=Mainer's Nationwide team features Earnhardt, to include TV model as drivers|last=Mahoney|first=Larry|date=June 26, 2013|work=Bangor Daily News|accessdate=2013-06-27|location=Bangor, ME}}

In November 2013, it was announced that Dufault would drive full-time in ARCA for the 2014 season in the No. 46 for Team Stange Racing,{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Motorsports/2013/11/20/21282356.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131121215454/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Motorsports/2013/11/20/21282356.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 21, 2013|title=Dufault to be first Canadian woman to race full-time on U.S. circuit|date=November 20, 2013|work=Canoe.ca|accessdate=2013-11-20}} as well as to return to Go Green Racing for an expanded twelve race schedule in the Nationwide Series in the No. 79 car.{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/20/dufault-to-be-first-canadian-woman-to-race-full-time-on-us-circuit|title=Dufault to be first Canadian woman to race full-time on U.S. circuit|date=November 20, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Sun|accessdate=2013-11-22|location=Toronto, Ontario}} However, her Nationwide deal fell through because of Go Green's merger with Cup Series team FAS Lane Racing later in the offseason, and it was decided that the team would only compete in Cup with FAS Lane's No. 32 team and to close down their Nationwide No. 79 team. Due to lack of sponsorship, Dufault and TSR only ran three races at the start of the season, and her and the team did not complete the season. The No. 46 had skipped the race at Salem, which indicated the team was having financial problems.

Dufault won Miss Hawaiian Tropic International in 2000, beating over 35,000 competitors for the honor, becoming the only Miss Hawaiian Tropic International ever from Quebec and only the third Canadian winner. She, along with co-winner Lisa Kessous, also from Quebec, won the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada competition and both represented Canada at the world competition in Las Vegas in 2000. She narrowly beat the more curvaceous and exotic Kessous for the world title in Las Vegas. {{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Her main participation reason was winning prizes including a motorcycle and Jet Ski,{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/arca/2011/02/12/beauty-queens-true-love-speed.html|title=Beauty queen's true love: speed|last=Noel|first=Burke|date=February 12, 2011|work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal|accessdate=2012-02-26|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215123815/http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/arca/2011/02/12/beauty-queens-true-love-speed.html|archive-date=February 15, 2011|url-status=dead}} as well as prize money to keep racing.{{cite news|last=Markey|first=Matt|title=Modeling used to fuel career|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2011/05/12/Modeling-used-to-fuel-career.html|accessdate=31 January 2012|newspaper=The Blade|location=Toledo, Ohio}} She was invited to the United Service Organizations "USO" tour, Operation in Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia.{{cite news|last=Stubbs|first=Dave|title=Nascar 2011: Quebecer Dufault takes fast track to race goals|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Nascar+2011+Quebecer+Dufault+takes+fast+track+race+goals/5267004/story.html|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=17 August 2011|archive-date=10 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210212743/http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Nascar+2011+Quebecer+Dufault+takes+fast+track+race+goals/5267004/story.html|url-status=dead}} She has appeared on a number of television shows and movies like Driven, Entourage, Relative Strangers, The Bold and the Beautiful,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7598904/maryeve-dufault-uses-modeling-including-price-right-finance-racing-dreams|title=Maryeve Dufault racing unique path|last=McCann|first=Zach|date=February 21, 2012|work=ESPN Page 2|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2012-02-27}} Jay Leno's opening show and including the American game show "The Price Is Right" during the Bob Barker era.{{cite web|last=Nick|first=Bromberg|authorlink=Nick Bromberg|title=Former Price is Right model to make NASCAR debut Saturday|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Former-Price-is-Right-model-to-make-NASCAR-debut?urn=nascar-wp3160|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|accessdate=18 August 2011}}{{cite web|title=Maryeve Dufault|url=http://www.maxim.com/amg/girls/todays+girl/072011/maryeve+dufault|publisher=Maxim|accessdate=18 August 2011|archive-date=24 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824124105/http://www.maxim.com/amg/girls/todays+girl/072011/maryeve+dufault|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/blog/_/name/newton_david/id/6878545|title=Dufault not just another pretty face|last=Newton|first=David|date=August 19, 2011|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2012-02-05}} She modeled in the August 2011 issue of Maxim. She also acted as a stunt driver for the movie Fast Girl.{{cite web|last=Manfred|first=Tony|title=This Former Bikini Model Will Race In The NASCAR Nationwide Series Next Month|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/maryeve-dufault-nascar-2011-7|work=Business Insider|location=New York|accessdate=19 August 2011}} Dufault was invited to participate on the show The Insider,{{cite web|url=http://eye-on-nascar.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/19681720/33615123|title=Video: Maryeve Dufault, model turned racer|last=de los Santos|first=Brian|date=December 1, 2011|work=Eye On NASCAR|publisher=CBS Sports|accessdate=2012-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202945/http://eye-on-nascar.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/19681720/33615123|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}} as well as on E! News to talk about women in racing and the difficulties of competing in a male dominated sport.{{cite web|url=http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=11287|title=Dufault Making National TV Appearance on E! News|date=August 30, 2011|publisher=Automobile Racing Club of America|accessdate=2012-02-06}} She has also been featured by Sports Illustrated as their "Lovely Lady of the Day".{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/extramustard/hotclicks/08/18/maryeve-dufault-michael-vick-roger-goodelll-gq-interview/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004133829/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/extramustard/hotclicks/08/18/maryeve-dufault-michael-vick-roger-goodelll-gq-interview/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2011|title=HotClicks|last=Traina|first=Jimmy|date=August 18, 2011|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=2012-02-05}}

Dufault said that she models to earn money to be a race car driver. "I wasn’t buying myself clothes. I was buying tires," Dufault said to the New York Post. "I am a racer who uses modeling jobs to pay my bills." Dufault said she still gets the questions and the puzzled looks as some folks struggle to understand her preference for the noise and smoke at the race track over the glitz and glamour of the modeling world.

{{blockquote|"Sure, some people think it is crazy, but I know where my heart is. I'm a race car driver, and I want to be known first for what I accomplish on the track. We all took different routes to get here, but every driver wants the same thing. You want to compete, and you want to win. My passion is here at the track."|Maryeve Dufault|Toledo Blade interview, May 12, 2011.}}

In 2010 Dufault raised US$10,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation,{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} as well as participating in a Bermudan trip to raise funds for the Syncairly Yours Foundation, a charity for uninsured mothers with premature babies.{{cite web|url=http://bermudasun.bm/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=56256|title=Charity gala had plenty of star appeal|last=Pearman|first=Mikaela Ian|date=January 18, 2012|work=Bermuda Sun|accessdate=2012-02-05}}

In the early 2000s Dufault moved from her native Quebec to Los Angeles to pursue her racing career. She currently resides in Mooresville, North Carolina.

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|1=http://www.maryeveracing.com/}}
• {{Racing-Reference driver|Maryeve_Dufault}}
• {{IMDb name|2260854}}

{{Team Stange Racing}}

{{Go Green Racing}}

{{Carter 2 Motorsports}}

{{MacDonald Motorsports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dufault, Maryeve}}

Category:Living people

Category:1982 births

Category:Sportspeople from Sorel-Tracy

Category:Racing drivers from Quebec

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers

Category:Indy Pro 2000 Championship drivers

Category:Formula BMW USA drivers

Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:Canadian female racing drivers

Category:Canadian racing drivers

Category:21st-century Canadian sportswomen