News Summary
Heather Hadley, a recent UNC Charlotte graduate, stars in the docuseries ‘First to the Finish,’ showcasing the challenges women face in racing. Premiering on Prime Video, the series highlights Hadley’s journey as driver No. 54 in the MX-5 Cup Championship, alongside team owner Shea Holbrook and fellow racer Sally Mott. With the first three episodes released, the docuseries aims to connect with a broad audience by highlighting personal stories while addressing the need for greater female representation in motorsports.
CHARLOTTE, NC – Heather Hadley, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, is making waves in the racing world as she stars in the docuseries First to the Finish, which premiered on Prime Video on March 25, 2024. The series follows Hadley, driver No. 54 in the MX-5 Cup Championship, alongside fellow racer Sally Mott and team owner Shea Holbrook, all of whom highlight the challenges and triumphs of women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
The first three episodes of First to the Finish debuted on March 25, with an additional three episodes scheduled for release on April 15. This docuseries is produced by Boardwalk Pictures and is designed to appeal to both racing enthusiasts and a wider audience, showcasing the personal journeys and experiences of the featured drivers throughout the racing season.
Hadley’s journey into racing began in Northern California, where she developed a passion for racing culture while pursuing her studies. Balancing her academic responsibilities at UNC Charlotte, where she graduated in December 2023, Hadley expressed that the campus environment allowed her to find peace amidst the pressures of competitive racing.
This year’s MX-5 Cup Championship, recognized as one of the premier one-make racing series in North America, provided an important platform for Hadley and the other competitors. In the competition, Hadley finished 18th, while Mott took 12th place among a total of 47 racers. This sport is noted for serving as a launching pad for numerous drivers’ careers.
The experience of racing, especially under the scrutiny of a documentary crew, brings unique pressures highlighted in First to the Finish. Holbrook, in her role as team owner, emphasized that the docuseries presents a multifaceted view of racing, revealing both the lighter moments and the deeper emotional struggles faced by drivers. This intricate portrayal aims to resonate with viewers beyond mere motorsport fans by focusing on the personal sacrifices involved in pursuing a career in racing.
In addition to Hadley and Mott, the docuseries shines a light on Charlotte-native Westin Workman, who has been recognized as the rookie of the year for the 2024 MX-5 Cup Championship. The inclusion of diverse voices in the series aims to underscore the importance of representation in motorsports. Hadley, a member of the Shift Up Now organization, is dedicated to advocating for female representation and change within the motorsports community.
Throughout the 2024 racing season, Hadley has been a vital part of BSI Racing, where the camaraderie among her crew has cultivated a family-like atmosphere. The relationships forged both on and off the track illustrate the communal ties that are formed in competitive sports.
As the new episodes of First to the Finish become available, viewers can not only catch the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the races but also connect with the stories and struggles behind the drivers. The docuseries is set to highlight a changing landscape in racing, where women are beginning to carve out their own paths in a field that has been predominantly male for decades, making it a significant contribution to both the sporting and entertainment worlds.
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Additional Resources
- Axios: UNC Charlotte & Prime Video’s First to the Finish Racing
- Wikipedia: Mazda MX-5 Cup
- Autoblog: First to the Finish on Rising Female Stars in Racing
- Google Search: First to the Finish docuseries
- Hagerty: The MX-5 Cup is Getting a Docu-Drama
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women in Motorsport
- DailySportscar: MX-5 Cup Poised for Groundbreaking 2025 Season
