Shawna Robinson

By the 2001 season, Robinson was ready to get back into NASCAR racing. She came back with a bang, as the first female driver to start a prestigious Winston Cup Series race since Patty Moise in 1989. Robinson finished her first series race in Brooklyn, Michigan, on June 10, 2001, making her the first woman to do so since Janet Guthrie in 1980. "That was my goal, that's all they asked of me today," Robinson said after finishing the race in 34th place. She spun the car around in Turn 2 but regained control without hitting anything, thinking, "Oh no, just hold onto it" as it happened.

In October 2001, Robinson began racing with BAM Racing, owned by Beth Ann and Tony Morganthau. Robinson started in seven Winston Cup Series races in 2002. She qualified for the Daytona 500 based on her qualifying speed of 182.66 mph from the Time Trials on February 9. She started the race in the 36th position, becoming only the second female driver ever to race the 500. Guthrie finished it in 1977 and 1980, in 12th and 11th places, respectively. Robinson finished the race in 24th place, racing a No. 49 Dodge. She finished the season 52nd in Winston Cup standings.