Who is Cara Krstolic and what is her role in motorsports?

Cara Krstolic is a female executive featured in the DisruptED motorsports series. She represents a growing cohort of women taking on leadership positions within a historically male-dominated racing industry. Her work focuses on driving organizational and cultural change from the boardroom.

How are women changing the motorsports industry?

Women in executive roles are bringing new approaches to strategy, sponsorship, team management, and fan engagement in motorsports. Their presence is challenging long-standing norms and opening the industry to broader talent pools. This shift is seen as a catalyst for both cultural and business innovation within racing.

What is the DisruptED show about?

DisruptED is a show hosted by Ron Stefanski that highlights innovators and leaders who are transforming traditional industries. Each episode features conversations with executives and pioneers challenging the status quo. The motorsports series specifically focuses on gender diversity and female leadership in racing.

Women in Motorsports: How Female Executives...

Women in Motorsports: How Female Executives Are Steering the Future of Racing (Ep. 1 with Cara Krstolic)

This episode of DisruptED explores how female executives like Cara Krstolic are transforming the motorsports industry by bringing new perspectives and leadership to a historically male-dominated field. The conversation highlights the growing influence of women in racing, from business strategy to operational innovation. It examines the challenges and opportunities that come with driving diversity at the executive level in motorsports.

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By Ron Stefanski · February 3, 2025, 4:46 PM UTCBridgestone AmericasCara KrstolicDisruptedRon J Stefanski

Key takeaways

Female executives are increasingly taking leadership roles in motorsports, influencing both business and track-side operations.

Cara Krstolic shares firsthand experience navigating and reshaping a male-dominated industry.

Diversity in motorsports leadership is seen as a driver of broader innovation and long-term growth.

The racing industry has long been dominated by men, but change is in motion. Women are increasingly taking leadership roles in motorsports, breaking barriers and driving innovation in engineering and production. While motorsports has historically lacked female representation, organizations and industry leaders are working to create more opportunities for women in motorsports. With STEM fields playing a crucial role in racing advancements, the push to encourage young women to pursue careers in engineering and science is stronger than ever.

Women are increasingly taking leadership roles in motorsports, breaking barriers and driving innovation in engineering and production.

So, what does it take to lead in a male-dominated industry like motorsports? And how are female executives shaping the future of racing?

In the first episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Cara Krstolic, the Executive Director of Race Tire Engineering and Production and Chief Engineer of Motorsports at Bridgestone Americas. They discuss the leading tire manufacturer’s cutting-edge advancements in race tire technology, the opportunities for women in motorsports, and the importance of mentorship in STEM fields.

Key takeaways from the episode:

Breaking Barriers: Cara shares her journey from childhood STEM experiments to leading race tire production at Bridgestone.
Engineering Innovation: How advanced technology and data analysis are reshaping the way race tires are designed and manufactured.
Women in STEM: The importance of visibility, mentorship, and fostering diverse teams in engineering and motorsports.

About the Guest

At Bridgestone Americas, Cara Krstolic oversees the design, development, and manufacturing of race tires, including those used in the IndyCar Series. With over two decades at Bridgestone, she has led teams in tire engineering, force and moment testing, and advanced data modeling for high-performance racing applications. A leader in motorsports innovation, she has played a pivotal role in advancing race tire technology while championing diversity and STEM education in engineering.