Joan Newton Cuneo: The Woman Who Proved She Belonged in Motorsport

When people talk about the early days of motorsport, the name Joan Newton Cuneo is rarely mentioned in the way it should be. She was one of the first women to compete directly against top male drivers in America, and more importantly, she proved she could beat them.

Long before conversations around women in motorsport became more visible, Joan was already challenging expectations. Not by asking for space, but by taking it.

In this episode of Belinda Automotive: The Road is Ours, I wanted to tell the story of someone who did not just take part in early motorsport, but forced the industry to confront what it really thought about women competing at the highest level.

So let’s get into the story of Joan Newton Cuneo.

Who was Joan Newton Cuneo?

Joan Newton Cuneo was born on 22 July 1876 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, during a time when women were expected to stay far removed from anything mechanical. But, her upbringing was different.

She learned to handle horses, drive teams and even operate machinery, developing confidence and control long before she ever drove a car. That foundation would later shape the way she approached motorsport.

How she got into racing

Joan’s introduction to motoring came in the early 1900s when she was gifted a Locomobile steam car.

At a time when cars were still experimental and unpredictable, she learnt how to drive and how these machines worked. She developed mechanical understanding alongside her driving skills, something that was essential in early motorsport.

By 1905, she was competing. She entered events like the Atlantic City beach races, where she finished second in a one-mile sprint, and soon after took part in her first track event in Poughkeepsie. She later described track racing as “love at first sight,” and from that point on, she committed fully to the sport.

Joan Newton Cuneo’s early racing career and challenges in early motorsport

Joan’s early career was anything but straightforward.

She faced mechanical failures, unpredictable conditions and constant pressure in a sport that questioned her presence at every turn. Despite this, she continued to compete across multiple formats, including beach races, dirt ovals and gymkhanas. But, these were not controlled racing environments, they were physically demanding and often dangerous.

One moment that stands out came in 1906 at the Danbury Fair, when her car caught fire mid-run while carrying passengers. She brought the car under control, shut off the engine and fuel, and ensured everyone got out safely. It was a clear example of her composure under pressure.

Breakthrough success in endurance racing

By 1907, Joan was competing in endurance events, including 100-mile races that required stamina, consistency and mechanical awareness.

Then in 1908, she achieved one of the most significant results of her career.

Driving for the Rainier Motor Car Company, she completed the Glidden Tour with a perfect score. At the time, the Glidden Tour was one of the most respected endurance events in American motoring.

Finishing it was an achievement, especially after not being able to complete her first and completing it without penalty was exceptional. This result cemented her reputation as one of the most capable drivers of her era, even if she was forgotten later by the media and papers.

Joan Newton Cuneo racing against top drivers in early American motorsport

In 1909, Joan entered the Mardi Gras races in New Orleans, where she competed directly against some of the top male drivers in the country.

She raced against names like Bob Burman and George Robertson and finished ahead of them. In one of the defining moments of her career, she took second place in a 50-mile race behind Ralph DePalma.

That result removed any doubt about her as a driver, and it rubbed many up the wrong way.

Why women were banned after Joan Newton Cuneo’s success in early motorsport

Shortly after her success, women were banned from AAA-sanctioned racing events. For years, this decision has been linked to Joan, as though her presence caused the problem. But, Joan was never the problem, society was.

Her success did not expose a limitation of her male drivers, it exposed a discomfort within the sport about women competing against men.

Joan Newton Cuneo’s speed records and life after early motorsport

Even after being excluded from official competition, Joan continued to drive. In 1911, she set what was widely recognised as the women’s speed record, reaching around 111.5 miles per hour on the Long Island Motor Parkway. For that time, it was an extraordinary achievement.

Her racing career eventually faded from public view, and she later moved into a quieter life, becoming involved in community and civic work, this came after her marriage broke down due to her husband's affair and her moving back to her home state.

She passed away in 1934, with much of her story largely overlooked for decades.

Why Joan Newton Cuneo still matters

One of the reasons I wanted to cover Joan on Belinda Automotive: The Road is Ours is because her story still feels relevant today. And, you can see so many similarities to that of Mouton and Schmitz!

She shows us that women have always been part of motorsport, even when history tries to minimise or forget that. Her career challenges the idea that opportunity has always been equal, and it highlights how quickly progress can be restricted when it becomes uncomfortable.

Just like many of the women I cover on this platform, Joan’s story is not just about the past, but about understanding how it has affected the present.

Watch the full podcast episode

You can watch the full episode of Belinda Automotive: The Road is Ours featuring Joan Newton Cuneo on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

If you are interested in women in motorsport, automotive history and the stories behind the industry, make sure you explore more at Belinda Automotive.