At the track and in the community, Latasha Causey drives change

PHOENIX (STN) – It was a special sight for the studio audience attending the October 2025 episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ as a history-making local leader returned to the stage for another inspiring discussion on leadership.

Latasha Causey, president of NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway and the first Black woman to serve as a NASCAR track president, brought her trademark authenticity, perseverance, and community focus to the conversation. She spoke candidly about what leadership means to her today.

“Titles are temporary,” she said. “The real measure of leadership is how many people you help move forward while you have the chance.”

That philosophy guides everything she does, from mentoring emerging professionals to connecting corporate partners with local causes.

Causey, who discussed mentorship during her first appearance on the show, used her return to talk about leadership as a daily practice, not a destination. “You can’t wait for permission to lead,” she said. “Every day, you have the chance to influence someone’s experience. Sometimes that’s a teammate, sometimes it’s a kid who just walked through the gate for the first time.”

While the upcoming NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway naturally came up, Causey used it to illustrate how inclusion drives growth. She explained that the raceway’s open-access culture, where fans can see drivers, crews, and cars up close, creates belonging.

Her comments traced a clear line between visibility and empowerment. Representation matters, she noted, but only if it leads to opportunity for others. Under her leadership, the track has become more than a racing venue; it’s a community platform that supports youth STEM programs, local schools, and nonprofit initiatives year-round.

“When people can see themselves in what you’re building, they start to believe they belong there too,” she said. “That’s when community turns into connection.”