Rising New Zealand Speedway driver Holly Russell is taking a major step in her racing career, recently relocating to the United States for a two-and-a-half-month campaign in the heart of American Sprintcar racing.
The ambitious young Kiwi will be based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she will contest 14 race meetings across the 2026 season in a 360 Sprintcar with Hoover Racing. Her campaign begins on May 2 at Lawton Speedway and runs through to July 18 at Creek County Speedway.
The move marks a significant milestone for Russell, who has steadily built her career across both New Zealand and Australia, and now steps onto one of the sport’s most competitive stages.
“It’s a massive step for me, both personally and professionally,” Russell said.
“Competing in America has always been a goal of mine, so to now have the opportunity to race there is something I’m incredibly excited and grateful for.
“Personally, it’s a big leap, stepping outside my comfort zone, being away from home, and adapting to a completely new environment. But I see that as part of the growth that comes with chasing something at a higher level.
“Professionally, it’s another level of competition. The standard of racing in the U.S., especially in sprint cars, is extremely high, so it’s a chance for me to learn, develop, and really build my race craft.”
While the move is temporary, Russell sees it as a crucial step toward establishing an international career.
“At this stage, I’ll be based in Tulsa for the duration of the campaign rather than permanently relocating, but it’s definitely a step toward building an international racing career.”
Russell’s journey to this point has been built on adaptability and progress, with experience across two countries helping her prepare for the challenge ahead.
“Racing across New Zealand and Australia has played a huge role in preparing me for this next step,” she explained.
“Growing up racing in New Zealand gave me really strong foundations, especially learning on smaller, more technical tracks and adapting to different conditions from a young age.
“Moving over to Australia pushed me even further. The competition is strong, and the tracks are bigger and faster, so I’ve had to adapt quickly, both in my driving and my mindset.
“I know America is on another level again, but having that experience of constantly stepping up and adapting gives me confidence that I can go over there, keep learning, and make the most of the opportunity.”
With a tightly packed schedule of 14 meetings in just over two months, Russell is approaching the opening rounds with a clear focus on development and consistency.
“My main expectation heading into those first few rounds is to learn as much as I can, as quickly as possible,” she said.
“Everything will be new, the tracks, the competition, and the style of racing, so for me it’s about adapting fast and getting comfortable in the car.
“Of course, I want to be competitive, but I’m also realistic that it’s a big step up. For me, success in those early rounds is about consistent improvement each time I hit the track and building confidence as I go.”
Off the track, Russell has also carved out a strong presence, building a following of more than 23,000 on Facebook as she documents her journey and connects with fans and supporters.
“Social media has played a massive role in my career so far,” she said.
“It’s allowed me to build a personal brand around my journey and share it with people all over the world, not just at the track.
“For me, it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the connection with my audience and being able to bring them along for the ride. That’s been really important when it comes to working with sponsors.”
The opportunity in the United States is the result of that combined effort, performance on track and persistence off it, as Russell continues to push boundaries and open doors.
“For me, success across this campaign is a combination of everything — results, experience, and development,” she added.
“If I can come away from the season having improved every time I hit the track, adapted to the level of competition, and gained valuable experience in the U.S., that would be a huge success.
“It’s also about building relationships, representing my supporters well, and laying a strong foundation for future opportunities over there. This is just the beginning for me.”
Russell’s American campaign not only represents a defining moment in her own career but also serves as inspiration for the next generation — proving that, with determination, self-belief, and the ability to create opportunities, Kiwi drivers can take on the world.
Fans can follow Holly Russell’s journey throughout her American campaign via her social media channels, where she regularly shares updates, behind-the-scenes content and race insights, as well as across Velocity News for full coverage of her progress in the United States.
Header Image: Jodie Piggott Photography
