Drivers vying for the top level are getting younger and younger in NASCAR, where team owners constantly are scouring short tracks for the next big thing. Just look at Joe Gibbs Racing, which is counting the days until protege Joey Logano’s 18th birthday next month, when he can make his Nationwide Series debut.

“The issue we have to confront is one of preparation,” said Marcus Jadotte, who oversees NASCAR’s diversity issues. “We need to get more young women involved at a young age and hold that interest so their developmental path is that of a normal young male driver.”

NASCAR recently began a financial partnership with World Karting Association to help fund opportunities for young female and minority drivers through its Drive for Diversity program. The sanctioning body recognizes capturing the interest of a young driver and holding it until they reach NASCAR’s minimum participation age of 16 can be difficult, and providing opportunities for development at the karting level is a start.

The current nine-member D4D program has three women in it, but Kristin Bumbera, Katie Hagar and Lindsey King all are competing on much lower levels of NASCAR-sanctioned racing.

“It is impossible for me or anyone at NASCAR to predict how fast a professional athlete is going to develop,” Jadotte said. “Our job is to create as many opportunities for them to develop and improve their skill level, then demonstrate that skill level to the industry to attract team and sponsorship support that will help them move up the ladder.”

Chrissy Wallace didn’t consider racing a possible career until three years ago, and she’s been playing catch-up ever since.

Although she’s won at every level, the sponsorship needed to continue her career isn’t pouring in. It has helped that she has a famous last name and connections — two-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has provided both financial support and advice of late — but there’s still a stigma that exists among major corporations with money to spend on sponsorship.

Companies might shy away from sponsoring a woman because there’s no proven record of success among female racers in NASCAR. Others might simply be gun shy after Erin Crocker became involved with Ray Evernham, her car owner.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos

Crocker acknowledged the relationship stalled the sponsorship she needed to continue her career at the top level, and Wallace said she believes other women are feeling the affects.

“People question if that’s going to be the same thing that happens with me, but we’re two totally different people,” said Wallace, who considers herself friendly with Crocker. “It’s kind of unfair that all female drivers are often based on her experiences.

“There’s a lot of female drivers out there who are talented and work hard.”