Amber Balcaen Bio
Amber Balcaen (born March 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. She last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 70 Toyota Camry for Nitro Motorsports. Balcaen has established herself as a pioneering figure in motorsports, breaking barriers for female drivers throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Amber Balcaen was born on March 7, 1992, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She developed an interest in racing at a young age and began driving go-karts at ten years old on various dirt tracks around North Dakota. Her early exposure to dirt track racing helped shape her skills and passion for motorsports.
At sixteen years old, Balcaen purchased her first lightning sprint car. This investment marked a significant step in her racing journey, as she went on to become the first female driver to win in a dirt track racing championship in Manitoba. Her success in these formative years demonstrated her natural talent behind the wheel.
Path to NASCAR
Balcaen’s performance in local racing circuits caught the attention of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. This opportunity led her to compete in the 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, which is now known as the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. This marked her entry into NASCAR-sanctioned competition.
During her first season in the series, Balcaen made history by becoming the first female Canadian driver to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States. Her victory occurred at Motor Mile Speedway. She earned eleven top-five finishes in her rookie season, securing Rookie of the Year honors and establishing herself as a rising talent in the sport.
Amber Balcaen Career
Early Career (2014-2016)
Balcaen made her Northern Outlaw Sprint Association debut in 2014, competing in a full-time schedule. She delivered an impressive performance that season, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Her achievements also included becoming the highest-finishing female driver in Northern Outlaw Sprint Association history at that time.
In 2015, Balcaen competed in the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals, further expanding her experience in midget car racing. The following year, she continued her success in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, securing her second overall series win at Motor Mile Speedway, building on her breakthrough season from 2016.
NASCAR Development Series Breakthrough (2017-2019)
Balcaen made her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut in 2017 at New Smyrna Speedway, driving for Martin-McClure Racing. She started 21st and finished 20th after being involved in a late-race incident. Mechanical issues, including a spark plug wire coming loose, resulted in a penalty that put her six laps down during the race.
In 2018, Balcaen made her first start in the CARS Super Late Model Tour, driving the No. 4 car for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Hickory Motor Speedway. She started 26th and finished 28th after being involved in an early race wreck. The following year, she returned to drive two late model races for Kyle Busch Motorsports, including the Pro All Star Series race at Hickory Motor Speedway and the CARS Super Late Model Tour race at Motor Mile Speedway. She started 22nd and finished 14th at Motor Mile.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2021-2024)
Balcaen made her ARCA Menards Series West debut in 2021 for Bill McAnally Racing at Irwindale Speedway, finishing 15th. She made two additional starts that season, finishing 11th at Irwindale and 22nd at Las Vegas. These performances earned her a full-time opportunity in the ARCA Menards Series.
On January 3, 2022, Rette Jones Racing announced that Balcaen would run the full ARCA Menards Series season. She delivered a solid performance throughout the year, earning six top-ten finishes and finishing seventh in the final point standings. Her consistent results demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level in national touring series competition.
On January 12, 2023, it was announced that Balcaen would join Venturini Motorsports for the 2023 season. She ran races at Daytona and Talladega, plus the first race at Kansas. She earned a career-best finish of sixth at Daytona. For the 2024 season, she ran full-time for Venturini Motorsports, driving the No. 22 car. During the season, she tied her career-best finish of sixth in the Reese’s 150 and ended the year sixth in the final standings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Balcaen has demonstrated versatility across multiple racing disciplines, including dirt track sprint cars, midget cars, and stock car racing. Her background in dirt racing has contributed to her adaptability and car control skills. She has shown resilience in overcoming setbacks, including injuries and mechanical issues, to return to competition.
Notable Races and Milestones
Balcaen achieved a significant milestone in 2016 by becoming the first female Canadian driver to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States at Motor Mile Speedway. Her career-best finish of sixth at Daytona in the ARCA Menards Series stands as another highlight. She also demonstrated determination during the 2024 season when she raced with a carbon fiber plate in her shoe after suffering a foot fracture in an accident at Dover.
Amber Balcaen Career Wins
Amber Balcaen has achieved notable victories throughout her racing career, particularly in her early seasons. Her wins have come primarily in regional and development series, showcasing her progression through the racing ranks.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Highlights
Balcaen secured her first NASCAR-sanctioned victory in 2016 at Motor Mile Speedway, making history as the first female Canadian driver to win a NASCAR race in the United States. She followed up this achievement with a second win at the same track in 2017. Her rookie season in 2016 also included eleven top-five finishes.
Other Wins & Performances
Balcaen became the first female driver to win a dirt track racing championship in Manitoba during her early career. She also won Rookie of the Year honors in the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association in 2014, where she set the record for the highest finish by a female driver in the series’ history.
Amber Balcaen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Balcaen hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where she was born and raised. Her family supported her interest in racing from a young age, allowing her to begin go-karting at ten years old. This early support system played a crucial role in her development as a driver.
Personal Life
Beyond racing, Balcaen has pursued various interests and opportunities. She served as the co-host of the television series Cars That Rock alongside Brian Johnson, the lead singer of AC/DC. She works as a motivational speaker, helping people from around the world achieve their goals. In 2019, she appeared as a main cast member on the NASCAR reality show Racing Wives on CMT. Additionally, she has served as a spokesperson for Kal Tire, Canada’s largest automotive company, during a winter campaign.
2025 Season Performance
On January 9, 2025, it was announced that Balcaen would compete part-time for Nitro Motorsports in the 2025 season, beginning with the season opener at Daytona. She set the fastest time in the annual pre-practice session, demonstrating strong performance ahead of the season. This part-time schedule represents a new chapter in her ARCA Menards Series career as she continues to compete at the national level.
