Fortin downplays gender on the track

Amber Fortin is a Jimmie Johnson fan, and Danica Patrick was never much of an influence for the 18-year-old. Gender exists, Fortin said, "until the helmet goes on," then girl power becomes horsepower.

The Holtsville native took sixth in last Saturday's 35-lap NASCAR modified at Riverhead Raceway. It was a career best, and, for the first time, she finished a spot ahead of her dad, John, a three-time champion who's second in points. Amber, driver of the No. 04 Chevy, is 24th despite missing four races in the spring while becoming a licensed practical nurse.

But when the helmet comes off, she can't help but notice: "The little girls come up to me saying, 'I wanna be like you.' "

The 2010 Sachem East graduate is one of four women who compete at Riverhead, but the only one on the modified circuit. "It makes you feel good," she said, "knowing you might affect someone's future; get them into something positive and away from trouble."

Family was Fortin's influence. Her father, older sister Alyssa and little brother have all been involved in racing. John Jr., 17, is 22nd in the modified standings.

There are challenges that come with being a female driver, Fortin said. In particular, she said, her counterparts drive more aggressively "because nobody wants to lose to a girl."

But it's all diesel to a competitive fire.

By the time Amber was 14, racing supplanted softball and dance and she had pestered her parents enough to let her race go-karts. She made the jump to modifieds at 16.

Fortin admits she "has a lot to learn," but the protege scoring one off the master last week? "Awesome . . . I talked a little trash."

Hear her roar . . . and rev.