AE Victory Racing (AEVR) has selected five finalists to compete in its 2025 Driver Development Shootout, taking place January 29–30 at inde Motorsports Park in Wilcox, Arizona. The two-day evaluation will determine the next development driver to earn a fully funded seat in the 2026 World Racing League season as part of AEVR’s female driver development program.
The finalists—Flame Airikkala, Siena Ashby, Emy Kissick, Brenna Schubert, and Reagan Thomas—will be evaluated through on-track sessions, data analysis, and team-based workshops designed to build both driving skill and camaraderie. The shootout reflects AEVR’s holistic approach to driver development, emphasizing performance, professionalism, and teamwork.
Applications for the program opened November 17 and closed December 7, drawing a record 43 applicants from around the world—more than double the number from the previous year. Following multiple rounds of application reviews, interviews, and extensive deliberation, team owner Erin Vogel, professional drivers Sarah Montgomery and Ashley Freiberg, and key members of the AEVR staff narrowed the field to five finalists.
About the Finalists:
Flame Airikkala, who will make the trip over from the UK, comes from a racing family including her grandfather and mother. In her application video, she attributes her love of racing to the fact that she loves to compete in nearly everything, playing competitive chess, netball and rowing as well as racing from the early age of 14.
Siena Ashby from Chanhassen, Minnesota has been competing in Go Karts for over 12 years and just completed her second season in wheel to wheel racing. Siena was an applicant last year and the team is excited to welcome her to her first shootout. Siena said the feedback she received last year has led her to implement new measurement tactics and work on her data analysis to give her a more competitive edge.
Emy Kissick lives in Olympia, Washington and got her racing license in 2023 and has maintained her own vehicle since then. Boasting a mechanical background and comfort in the garage, she says racing Spec Miata and MX-5 has made her a clean driver and develop a sense of calm in high traffic situations. But, as she says in her video with a smile, she maintains her sense of humor and energetic contributions to a team.
Brenna Schubert is located in Las Vegas and began karting in 2009 but also started competing in wheel-to-wheel in 2023. She said she has had to work very hard and take every opportunity to make racing her priority. Her resume certainly reflects this as she has participated in multiple shootouts, challenges and scholarships and also taken jobs and volunteer positions in various racing programs. She also recently relocated to Las Vegas from her hometown of Quakertown, Pennsylvania in an effort to find more career opportunities.
Reagan Thomas hails from Cayce, South Carolina and has been racing Spec Miatas and Spec E-46 for the last two and a half years. She is the second driver to proclaim that she learned a lot by even applying to the AEVR program last year and that it has pushed her to grow as a driver and a competitor. She is excited at the opportunity to compete in more endurance races as she says she enjoys the teamwork, energy and accountability that comes with it.
“I’m humbled and proud of the depth and diversity of applications we received this year, representing a wide range of motorsports disciplines from around the world,” said AE Victory Racing team owner Erin Vogel. “That level of interest speaks to both the talent that exists and the real need for programs that create meaningful opportunities for women in racing.”
Vogel developed the inaugural shootout in 2025 by drawing on her experience as a professional driver and adapting elements from existing development programs to create an evaluation process she believes truly serves developing athletes. What began as a competitive selection process has evolved into a collaborative environment that prioritizes learning, growth, and teamwork—an energy she is committed to building upon in 2026.
“Last year, every participant walked away with something valuable,” Vogel added. “I’m excited to see what this group brings to the program and confident the experience will be impactful, regardless of the final outcome.”
