Something Oklahomans might not know is that Enid has a vibrant racing history, with its speedway being around since before the 1950s.For decades, drivers have gone to the Enid Speedway to test their skills and bring home the victory. But now, a 21-year-old woman is making history.”When the white flag flew, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I think I’m going to win this thing,'” Emme Hughes said.Hughes remembers being one of the only girls on the track. Now, she’s made history as the first woman to win a race in a B-Mods car at the Enid Speedway since the track reopened in 2017.”Being a 21-year-old girl out on the track, they try to intimidate you. Whatever. But I don’t let it bother me because I’m just going to show that I can just pass you,” she said.The Enid native always dreamt of becoming a racecar driver. It was a dream fueled by family tradition.”Racing has just been in my family forever,” Hughes said. “My paw paw’s raced for many, many years. I told my paw paw one day I wanted to race. I got in my Sprint car and took off.”She hasn’t let off the gas since.”This was my first race car ever, and this is a junior Sprint car,” Hughes said.But racing isn’t the only space Hughes is breaking down barriers. When she’s off the track, she’s in her welding shop. It’s a business she started when she was just 18 years old.”That’s when I really realized, ‘Oh, I’m the only woman-owned welding shop in Enid,” Hughes said.EH Metal Works specializes in custom metal jobs like cattle guards, art pieces and signs. Walking through the shop, you’ll see some big-time machinery.”This is a laser-cutting machine that will cut to the thousandth so it can do aircraft parts,” Hughes said.But unlike other welding shops, you’ll see splashes of pink.”Staying in my feminine energy while I’m doing something that’s considered a male-dominated industry. I just love it, to be able to embrace myself,” Hughes said. “Continuing to be the modern-day Rosie the Riveter, you know?”Hughes told sister station KOCO 5 that Enid has stood behind her, cheering her on. Now, she hopes to do the same for the next generation of riveters.”If any little girls want to come to my shop and learn, please. I would love it,” Hughes said.
Something Oklahomans might not know is that Enid has a vibrant racing history, with its speedway being around since before the 1950s.
For decades, drivers have gone to the Enid Speedway to test their skills and bring home the victory. But now, a 21-year-old woman is making history.
“When the white flag flew, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I think I’m going to win this thing,'” Emme Hughes said.
Hughes remembers being one of the only girls on the track. Now, she’s made history as the first woman to win a race in a B-Mods car at the Enid Speedway since the track reopened in 2017.
“Being a 21-year-old girl out on the track, they try to intimidate you. Whatever. But I don’t let it bother me because I’m just going to show that I can just pass you,” she said.
The Enid native always dreamt of becoming a racecar driver. It was a dream fueled by family tradition.
“Racing has just been in my family forever,” Hughes said. “My paw paw’s raced for many, many years. I told my paw paw one day I wanted to race. I got in my Sprint car and took off.”
She hasn’t let off the gas since.
“This was my first race car ever, and this is a junior Sprint car,” Hughes said.
But racing isn’t the only space Hughes is breaking down barriers. When she’s off the track, she’s in her welding shop. It’s a business she started when she was just 18 years old.
“That’s when I really realized, ‘Oh, I’m the only woman-owned welding shop in Enid,” Hughes said.
EH Metal Works specializes in custom metal jobs like cattle guards, art pieces and signs. Walking through the shop, you’ll see some big-time machinery.
“This is a laser-cutting machine that will cut to the thousandth so it can do aircraft parts,” Hughes said.
But unlike other welding shops, you’ll see splashes of pink.
“Staying in my feminine energy while I’m doing something that’s considered a male-dominated industry. I just love it, to be able to embrace myself,” Hughes said. “Continuing to be the modern-day Rosie the Riveter, you know?”
Hughes told sister station KOCO 5 that Enid has stood behind her, cheering her on. Now, she hopes to do the same for the next generation of riveters.
“If any little girls want to come to my shop and learn, please. I would love it,” Hughes said.