Few women have stepped up to meet the tough, male-dominated environment that NASCAR can be. Even though opportunities have often been limited, where speed and strategy demand the best from everyone involved, Mary Louise Miller was a force to be reckoned with. Born on April 30, 1947, in the Warsaw area of Indiana, she flipped the script when she took ownership of ML Motorsports. Co-owned with her daughter Stephanie Mullen, the team started in ARCA in 1999 and moved to the Xfinity Series by 2006. That is some legacy that Miller carries!

Her efforts opened doors for female talent, like driver Johanna Long, who joined in 2012 for a two-year deal. Though it was a small team, Miller showed that women could build and run a competitive outfit, inspiring more participation in a field where they were underrepresented. The team’s dedication highlighted how passion and hard work could make a mark, even with limited resources. And it is that very influence that is missed today.

Mary Louise Miller passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 78 in Winona Lake, Indiana, surrounded by family and friends. Her death marks the end of an era for a woman who broke barriers in NASCAR by leading the first mother-daughter-owned team alongside her daughter, Stephanie Mullen.

Sad News – Mary Louise Miller

Owner of ML Motorsports Xfinity Series team.https://t.co/6mF9fuM9yr

— Jayski (@jayski) September 27, 2025

Her team had humble beginnings in the ARCA Series in 1999 with drivers like Jimmy Kitchens and Andy Hillenburg before transitioning to the Xfinity Series in 2006 with entries at races like the Circuit City 250. Miller’s background in racing stemmed from a family passion, and she built the operation into a place that gave chances to drivers such as Shelby Howard, David Green, and Johanna Long, who achieved career-best 12th-place finishes at Daytona and Kentucky in 2012 under her banner.

In a 2012 interview, Miller shared her love for the sport, saying, “It’s just a wonderful sport to be in because it’s a family sport. I just like everything about it.” This reflected her approach to team-building, where crew members worked nights and used vacation time to keep things running, starting with just cardboard boxes for organization. She emphasized the close-knit nature, noting, “We are a family. We are a small group; they all do multiple jobs, and they absolutely love what they do. We are very, very lucky.”

Despite strong runs, like Johanna Long qualifying eighth and running in the top five for over 100 laps at Richmond in 2012, the team struggled with funding and closed in January 2014 after selling assets to Derrike Cope Racing. Miller’s impact endured, proving women could thrive in ownership and fostering talent that might otherwise have been overlooked.

As news of her passing spread, fans took to social media to share their thoughts.

Fans reflect on Miller’s legacy

The NASCAR community felt the loss deeply, with many recalling how Miller’s team stood out in a crowded field. “Rest in Peace. Always rooted for them, an all Women owned team with a Woman driver, all of whom never got the career and attention they deserved,” one fan posted. This highlights the unique setup of ML Motorsports as a mother-daughter operation that featured female driver Johanna Long in 2012 and 2013. Long’s time there included solid points finishes, placing 20th in 2012 despite a partial schedule, but limited sponsorship meant the team couldn’t expand, leaving talents like her without the full spotlight they earned through consistent qualifying and race efforts.

Another tribute came from a fan who said, “Damn that sucks. ML Motorsports was such a fun team to root for. I’ll never forget the Richmond race that Johanna Robbins (Long) drove the 70 car up to P3 on speed at.” That 2012 Richmond event saw Long start eighth and hold top positions for much of the race, showcasing the team’s potential before a late tire issue dropped her to 32nd. It was a standout moment for the small Indiana-based outfit, which ran 141 Xfinity races overall, proving they could compete against bigger operations on pure grit.

Fans also noted the resource challenges Miller faced, as one put it, “She and her daughter did a lot with basically nothing. RIP.” Operating with a crew of about 20, the team leased engines from Richard Childress Racing and relied on multi-role staff who balanced full-time jobs. This bootstrapped approach allowed entries with drivers like Chad Blount and Scott Wimmer, but the absence of major corporate backing ultimately led to the shutdown.

Memories of the team’s roster resonated, too. A fan shared, “I remember that team with Johnna long, Mark Green, and I believe Lepage drove that car. Correct me if I long.” Indeed, Johanna Long handled the No. 70 in her two seasons, while Mark Green drove in multiple stints, and Kevin Lepage took the wheel for events like the 2013 Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead. These drivers helped the team avoid start-and-park status at times, with efforts that built a loyal following despite no wins.

Overall, these reactions show how Miller’s quiet contributions left a mark. One summed it up: “Rest in peace, she had one of the most underrated teams out there.” From ARCA roots to Xfinity competition, her operation provided real opportunities, like for David Stremme and Tony Raines in partnership deals, reminding everyone of the value in smaller teams that push the sport forward.