Women's Motorsports Network Podcast & Let's Talk Racing LIVE

Paiten Burnham: National Winner Shares The Highs, Lows, And What Comes After Quarter Midgets

• Melinda Russell • Season 9 • Episode 409

Share episode

Send us a text

One national win, one scary flip, and one giant leap forward. We sit down with Paiten Burnham, a 16-year-old quarter midget racer from Connecticut, to unpack a season defined by consistency, courage, and the bold move to test a midget in Indianapolis right after her final national in Topeka. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the sweet payoff at Richmond, Paiten shares how travel, track time, and tight teamwork with her dad shaped a year that pushed her racecraft and mindset to new levels.

We dig into the nuts and bolts—running Heavy 160, Unrestricted, and World Formula—while chasing national points and learning how to adapt setups to different tracks. Paiten opens up about the flip that cracked her helmet and how safety, recovery, and focus kept her season on track. Beyond lap times, she breaks down how character fuels opportunity, earning a spot in the Petty Edge Performance Top 10 where grades, sportsmanship, and social presence matter as much as speed. It’s a modern motorsports reality: sponsors and teams want complete athletes who can win races and represent brands with integrity.

What comes next is where the story accelerates. Paiten is aging out of quarter midgets and stepping into midgets across the Midwest—Ohio, Indiana, and possibly Michigan—aiming for bigger stages and higher stakes, including the dream shot at the Tulsa Shootout. Along the way, she reflects on friendships made in the paddock, the family-first culture that keeps racers grounded, and the confidence that comes from doing the hard work when no one’s watching. This is a candid look at how young drivers grow, where they stumble, and how they find the next gear.

If you love women in motorsports, grassroots racing, and stories of young athletes leveling up, you’ll want to hear this one. Tap follow, share it with a racing friend, and leave a review to help more fans discover the Women’s Motorsports Network. Your support keeps these stories on the grid.

Support the show

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/womensmotorsportsnetworkandpodcast

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/womensmotorsportsnetwork/

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/

TIKTOK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/

X: https://x.com/IWMANation

FACEBOOK Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/melinda.ann.russell

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, the show that puts the spotlight on the incredible women who fuel the world of motorsports. From drivers to crew members, engineers to fans, and everyone in between, we're here to celebrate the trailbizers, dreamers, and doers shaping the sport we love. Each episode, we share inspiring stories of females of all ages from every corner of the motorsports universe, past, present, and future. It's a journey through the seasons of life filled with heartfelt moments, laughter, and a whole lot of horsepower. So whether you're a lifelong fan, a racer yourself, or simply curious about the extraordinary women behind the wheel, settle in, relax, and enjoy a fun and uplifting ride with us. This is the Women's Motorsports Network podcast, connecting and celebrating women in motorsports one story at a time. Let's hit the track. I've been following Peyton all season long. Peyton, you didn't know I was stalking you on your racing, but I've been following her all season long. And she's, you know, I have to say, I do have some favorites. It's really not fair, Peyton, that I have favorites, but I do. And Peyton is one of them. We interviewed Peyton, I don't know, a few months ago, wasn't it, Peyton? Not that long ago. So you could look back and find that um recording and learn, you know, more about how she got started. But today we're gonna just have a follow-up uh visit with her, and she's gonna share the amazing season that she's had. And I'm so proud of her. And I just wanted her to have a chance to get on here and share all the good things that have happened this year. So, Peyton, first of all, if somebody hasn't heard about you before, will you please share just a little bit about yourself? And then we'll talk about your season. So go ahead.

SPEAKER_01:

My name is Peyton. I'm 16 and I'm from Connecticut. Um I race cars.

SPEAKER_00:

What kind of cars? Quarter midgets. Okay. Um, I have four siblings. Are you the oldest or the youngest, or where? In the middle?

SPEAKER_01:

I'm the fourth out of five.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, so near the bottom. Okay. How about any pets?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I have four dogs.

SPEAKER_00:

Four dogs, okay. Are they big dogs or little dogs? Big. Yeah. You have so many people have big dogs. My dog is about always about this big and he weighs 12 pounds. Your dogs would have him as an appetizer. Yeah. And any other pets besides the dogs? Just the dogs. And so you have a younger sibling, is he or she? Uh him. Him. Okay. Is he a lot younger? Yeah, he's seven. Oh, okay. So he's kind of you know, bringing up the caboose of the family, right? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So Peyton, do you are you homeschooled or do you go to a regular high school? I go online. You go online. Okay. I thought you did, but I wanted to be sure that I had that right. So you race quarter midgets. How many years have you been doing quarter midgets? Five. Five years. Okay. And what classes do you run in the quarter midget?

SPEAKER_01:

Uh heavy 160 unrestricted M1 Heavy World Formula.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. So you run quite a bit. So now Connecticut is a pretty big area for quarter midgets, but do you travel and go other places when you race? Yeah, I race nationally. So we go all over. So what's what's the your most favorite place that you've been?

SPEAKER_01:

Um I liked Vegas was more the most fun for like non-racing activities.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay.

SPEAKER_01:

Like to like visit the strip and stuff.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

But I think Richmond was my favorite because I got a national win at it.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. All right. So Vegas is cool because they have a lot of fun stores, like the MM store and and and those. And you know, I've been there two or three times. I've never once gambled when I was there. There's just so much else to do and lots of places to eat. It's a fun, it's a fun town. I don't care how old you are. So yeah, I can see why that would have been your favorite non-track activity. So um you won a national race in Richland, Richmond. How long ago was that? Um early in the summer? I think it was a couple months ago. Okay. All right. So your racing season probably starts what, April or May? Yeah. Yeah. And then are you done now or are you still got some races ahead of you?

SPEAKER_01:

I have one more national, and that's my right last ever quarter midget race.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, and will that be where where will that be? Um Topeka, Kansas. Oh, okay. So you do travel quite a ways. Yeah. Well, hopefully it's not gonna snow early because Kansas sometimes can get snow. That wouldn't be any fun. And you said it'll be your last quarter midget race. Is that that's because you've aged out? Yeah, yeah, I thought so. So you've had a really good quarter midget career. Not good, excellent, I should say, quarter midget career. So what was what were some of the highlights from the summer?

SPEAKER_01:

Um the win, yeah. Um I've done been really consistent, so we're should be in the top five in points for two of my cars.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, wow, that's pretty good because you're racing nationally. That's a lot of kids.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

Now, do you race? Is it just you on your team, or do you race? Uh do you have other kids on your team, or is it just you?

SPEAKER_01:

It's just me and my brother races too, but okay, he's not super competitive.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and so um, I I ask that because more and more I I hear about girls who are, you know, maybe racing as part of a team with other other, you know, members, especially nationally. So to race as a solo nationally, that's a lot that's a lot on you and your family, you know, but to get to all those races and then to be so competitive when you get there. Um, who works on your car? Your dad?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, just my dad.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and me. Yeah, I was gonna ask you, you help him, and what do you do? Like, how how do you help keep the car going?

SPEAKER_01:

Um, I basically just do whatever he asked me to do. There's always something different or new we're gonna try or have to change.

SPEAKER_00:

So okay, and so you've learned a lot probably in the last five years about how quarter midgets work, right? Yeah, so are you gonna move up to something else then? Because you're you're such a good racer. I'd hate for you to quit.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, I think actually on Monday, right after we race Kansas, I'm going to Indianapolis and I'm testing a midget.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, that's gonna be fun. Have you ever driven a midget before? Nope. Oh, that's gonna be so fun, Peyton. You're gonna be like, oh, it's so much better than quarter midget. Maybe not because you've been so good in the quarter midget.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So what so will you race nationally then if you do the midget?

SPEAKER_01:

Um, I'll race in the Midwest, so like Ohio, Indiana, all those states.

SPEAKER_00:

How about Michigan? Do you ever come? Will you come to Michigan? I wonder.

SPEAKER_01:

Um, I think there's one race in Michigan.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, well, you're gonna have to let me know because I live in Kalamazoo and I would love to come and watch you race. So you keep me in mind when you get your schedule and and all the plans, because Indiana's only a couple hours away, and and I would love to come and watch you race. So don't forget about me now. So over the past five years, Peyton, what's been the thing you've loved the most about racing a quarter midget?

SPEAKER_01:

Um racing itself is probably like the most like adrenaline thing I've ever done. It's like my happy place. Yeah, I can get my mind off everything, but not just racing, but like the friendships and like the families you meet along the way.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, isn't that the truth? Because we would have never met, and I know I'm I could be your grandma, Peyton, but I just love I just love a lot of the girls that I've met and talked to. And you know, some I connect with some better than others, and that's just how life is, you know, everybody's not your best friend. You have certain ones that are are more um, I guess, connected to what what you do than others, but um I I uh I love that I've been able to keep track of you this year and and and watch your progress. You know, um there's there's times that I look at some of the girls that I've interviewed, and I know that the year hasn't gone always the way they wanted, and that's just normal. And and yet they just keep going and they just keep racing because they're so strong, they're not gonna let anything stop them from racing and being good, and that's that's who you are, Peyton. Um, you're a you're a fantastic driver, and you're gonna move on to another um way to drive, another area of of racing. And what are you looking forward to the most about that?

SPEAKER_01:

Um, just like the new people we're gonna meet along the way and the new experiences I'm gonna have.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, absolutely. So much, so much fun ahead of you, Peyton. You're only 16 years old, you got lots of things ahead of you yet that are gonna be amazing and and exciting. So um, you know, what what will you miss about quarter midget racing?

SPEAKER_01:

Um the people, yeah. Because like it's such a family, like everyone for the most part likes everyone.

SPEAKER_00:

What happens on the track kind of stays on the track, and yeah, you know, everyone is friendly and yeah, and and you know what I've noticed, my granddaughters race quarter midgets, and then they went on to race other things too. And and the thing I uh notice the most, Peyton, is that the kids usually all get along. Sometimes it's the parents that cause the problem. Hopefully, your mom's not standing there. She doesn't think I'm talking about her because I'm not, but uh sometimes, you know, we have to say uh to the parents they need to just back off a little bit and let the kids have fun, right? Yeah, for sure. Um what what else about the about your year this year do you want to share about? Is there, you know, a maybe a race that you just didn't qualify well or you didn't think you're gonna do well and then you did, or any anything at all? Did you have any exciting things like did you roll over or anything? Anything at all about the this year's season?

SPEAKER_01:

Um I only had one really bad accident, but I like flipped and I hit my head on the ground. Oh dear. And it cracked the helmet. So yeah, I get a new one. But other than that, Lastcore Youth series came out with a Petty Edge Performance competition.

SPEAKER_00:

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01:

And so we submitted into it. And at first it was 160 people, and then it cut down to 48, and then 20, and now 10, and I'm in the top 10.

SPEAKER_00:

Awesome. Well, that is quite an accomplishment. So, what does that mean exactly if you're part of that? How you know, like what do they base that on, like the top 10? Did you have to submit something about your season, or how how did you make it to the top 10?

SPEAKER_01:

So Mr. Petty has been watching all of us all season long, and we had to submit our grades and like sports, they're watching for our sportsmanship and social media posts, all the things, not just what makes us a driver, but everything about our lives.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, who you are as a person. Yeah, because you know, when when you get older and you represent, let's say you represent a big sponsor, let's just say McDonald's. So let's say McDonald's says, I want to be I want to be your sponsor, Peyton. They don't necessarily even look maybe at how good you drive, they want to see uh how you act because you're gonna be representing them. And yeah, they're not gonna pick somebody who never wins or never finishes in the top. I get that. But they're more interested, I think, in who you are, not what you've done. And good grades, sportsmanship, all those things are important. And so to make it to the top 10, wow, that's exciting! Now, is that the final then? Um, or are they gonna cut some more, or how does that work?

SPEAKER_01:

So on October 21st, they cut it down to the top four, and they get to go practice a micro 600, and then they pick the top two and they get to go race a 600 at the Tulsa shootout.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, that is so cool. Okay, we're all gonna be praying for you that you're in the top two. Have you been to the Tulsa shootout before? No, okay, wouldn't that be awesome? Okay, and there's nothing we can do to help, it's all on somebody else that's watching you or doing what you're doing, right? Yeah, okay, all right. Well, I put my vote in for you to be in the top two. That might be all the reason I need to come to Tulsa. Um, my mother was born and raised in Tulsa, and I've only been there as a little child, and so it'd be fun to go back. Yeah, that'd be cool. When is that? Is that in January or December? I think it's right at the end of December. I think so too. Yeah, I want to say it's like when kids are out of school for um like Christmas break or something, somewhere in there, yeah. Okay, so cool. I'm so proud of you, Peyton, for for that and for you know, applying for it. And then obviously, you've got the qualities that they're looking for. You want to be in the top 10. So yeah, that's amazing. What anything else that you want to share about or that we should talk about that I don't know about? No, I think that covers it. That covers it. Well, you've had a big year for sure, lots of exciting things to come in the in the future for you, I know. And um, and so I just want you to know I'm always in your corner. I'm proud of you, and I'll be uh praying for you to be in the top two, and I'll be watching on flow when you're racing in Tulsa. Thank you. All right, well, thanks for being with me today. You hang on while I end the recording, okay? Thank you. Uh-huh. That's it for this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network podcast. We hope you've been inspired by the stories I shared today and feel more connected to the amazing community of women in motorsports. Remember, whether you're behind the wheel, in the pits, or cheering from the stands, your story matters. And together we're driving change and celebrating every milestone. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who loves motorsports as much as you do. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, behind the scenes content, and more incredible stories. So until next time, stay inspired, stay connected, and keep racing through life. This is the Women's Motorsports Network podcast, where every woman's story is worth celebrating.