If we flip the pages back to April 2025, something unusual had taken place with the NASCAR Cup Series. It had a free weekend for Easter—the first and only break in the brutal schedule that spans from February to November. It’s the sport’s longest season. And so, taking advantage of the opportunity, drivers spent time with their families or traveled wherever they could. However, NASCAR’s busy schedule is not just hectic for the drivers but also for those who cover it.

Take FOX’s Kaitlyn Vincie, for instance. Every weekend, she is on the track covering races, talking to the drivers, and bridging the gap between the sport and fans. But she is also a mother of two children, whom she shares with her husband, Blake Harris. And as much as she loves her job, she would also like to take her children hiking on a Sunday afternoon or read suspense novels with them.

Vincie appeared on Samantha Busch’s Certified Oversharer, where she spoke about how her work has affected her personal relationships. She revealed that she separated from Harris and has been solo parenting. “It’s crazy that the thing that brings you together [racing] can divide you in the end. I don’t think people realize the men and women who are on road crews, this is a massive commitment for them.

“I think to be successful as a crew chief, you’re pretty much married to that job. You have to be because you cannot give an inch really anywhere, right? And so, it’s to no fault of their own. It’s just what’s required of you. And I mean, I have an issue with a lot of this because the road crews to me, make this entire thing function. They build the cars. They load them on the haulers, drive them across the country, tech them, practice them, qualify them, race them, tech them again, take them to R&D, and start all over. And they do it for 10 months, and they’re usually paid the least.”

Blake Harris, who is the crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 car, has a similar schedule. And while both Harris and Vincie were constantly on the road, they had their own responsibilities with their respective teams and would hardly travel together. It would be “separate hotels, separate rental cars, separate schedule.” Vincie further spoke about the grinding nature of the racing calendar and the lack of infrastructure to support families.

“One of the things too, that I wish the sport offered and maybe they do, but if they do, I don’t know about it, so it hasn’t been properly presented to us, is more resources for families. Like family counselors, therapists, a network of child care providers, something to manage this schedule and these demands because it’s just a little bit unreasonable.”

The nature of the sport means families are often left improvising solutions on their own. Vincie explained on the podcast that for those like herself and her husband, who both hold demanding, high-profile positions within the sport, the lifestyle is especially straining. It gets even trickier because they have young children aged four and seven.

“Both him and I care so much about them [the children] and making sure they’re still getting the best… Him and I have an amazing relationship. You know, a lot of people would look at that and be like, really? But we do. We speak every day. We’re still great friends.” The pressures did not stem from a lack of affection but from the “logistical nightmare” and continuous presence required by their jobs.

And so Vincie believes NASCAR needs to implement a system that works better for families, particularly dual-career couples in the heart of the action.

How Kaitlyn Vincie became a voice of the sport

Kaitlyn Vincie’s journey in NASCAR broadcasting has been driven by persistence, adaptability, and a genuine love for the sport. She began at Langley Speedway in Virginia, working as a host and pit reporter, and quickly embraced digital media by producing her own NASCAR video reports, earning attention and opening doors.

In 2012, she joined FOX Sports (then SPEED) as a social media reporter and steadily expanded her role, contributing to NASCAR Race Hub, pit reporting for the Craftsman Truck Series, and co-hosting studio shows. Over her 14-year career, she has become a respected and familiar voice across all NASCAR series, known for her insightful and relatable coverage. Her recent debut as a Cup Series pit reporter at Circuit of The Americas marked a major milestone, reinforcing her continued rise within the FOX broadcast team.

“This was all I ever wanted to do with my life. Once I was old enough to figure out a career path, I was dedicated to doing this, and it’s been exactly what I had hoped for,” Vincie told Forbes earlier this year. “Fox has allowed me to do a little bit of everything at this point. I’ve done pit reporting, I’ve done pre-race hosting, I’ve done hosting of the daily shows. I’ve done awards show and red carpets features. So I’ve worked across all the different series that we’ve had.”

Kaitlyn Vincie balances a demanding professional life with her roles as a mother and spouse, facing significant challenges along the way. She aspires to inspire the next generation of women in motorsports media, mentoring others and advocating for more opportunities.