By Jim Foose – Speedway Action Magazine
In the high-octane world of the ARCA Menards Series, where engines roar with a deafening intensity and the smell of spent fuel hangs thick in the air, there is one figure who stands perfectly still amidst the chaos. Perched in a small, caged nest hanging over the start-finish line, Denise Engle isn’t just watching the race—she is controlling its heartbeat.
As the official flagwoman for ARCA, Engle holds a position that is equal parts tradition, precision, and raw nerves. While the drivers are strapped into 3,400-pound steel beasts, Engle is strapped into a different kind of intensity.
The Conductor of the Track
Most fans see the flags as simple signals—green for go, yellow for caution, checkered for the win. But for Engle, those flags are a language. She is the primary communicator between the race officials in the booth and the drivers on the asphalt.
The Conductor of the Track
- Precision Timing: A fraction of a second can be the difference between a clean start and a multi-car pileup. Engle’s eyes are constantly scanning the field, looking for alignment and jumps.
- The Physical Toll: Flagging isn’t just standing; it’s an athletic endeavor. Bracing against the wind of cars passing at 180 mph while whipping heavy nylon flags for hours requires a unique kind of stamina.
- Safety First: When a wreck occurs, Engle is often the first person the drivers look to. Her ability to deploy the yellow flag instantly is the first line of defense for the safety crews.
A Rare Breed
In a sport historically dominated by men, Engle has carved out a space of immense respect. She isn’t there because of a diversity initiative; she’s there because she is one of the best in the business. Her path to the flagstand wasn’t built on a whim, but on a lifetime of trackside experience and an innate understanding of racing “flow.”
“You have to be ahead of the cars,” she’s often noted. “If you’re reacting to what you just saw, you’re already too late.”
Learning More About Denise
We caught up with Denise at a recent ARCA Menards Series race where she let us learn a little more about her, including her history in racing.
Denise has been around racing since birth! Her father, Huey Williams, and brother Dan Williams both raced at Cloverleaf Speedway. Denise started racing at age 15 at Painesville, then at age 20, she decided to hang up the wheel. Close friend Terry Adams was running the show at Lorain County Speedway and hired hrt to work there as an official. Denise spent one night helping in the pit chute, before heading to the flag stand with Howard (Ebsch) and Jim. Denise served as Assistant Flagperson for several years until Ebsch retired, handing the reigns over to Denise. Engle flagged at Lorain County for several years before stepping away to start a family in 2000.
After several years away, Engle returned to the sport, helping out at local short tracks when the ARCA Truck Series offered her the Chief Starter position. That’s when Denise says, “the stars aligned for my dream job”. Engle was hired as the Chief Starter and a Technical Official with the ARCA Menards Series, where she has remained for eleven years.
“When I was a kid, the Daytona 500 was bigger than Christmas in our house! Our mom even made a turkey! I always think of those days when I’m standing on the flag stand at Daytona! I’m so blessed!“ Engle says about her position as the ARCA Menards Series Chief Starter.
The topic of favorite tracks came up during our conversation. Denise was hesitant to choose one stating: “I get asked a lot about my favorite track to flag, and I have to say ‘all of them’. Superspeedways, short tracks, dirt tracks, and road course tracks, it doesn’t get any better than that!”
The topic of dropped flags (a rarity but always a possibility in the high-speed world of motorsports, “As of today, I’ve never dropped a flag, but I am a human being. I pray that I never do.” Denise commented.
Engle’s favorite part of the job? “Being a starter at the national level has so many amazing aspects, but it’s a big responsibility too! Handing the checkered flag to first-time winners and seeing the joy in their eyes is really special. I also love the production side of a race, so much goes into it for TV, but my favorite part of my job is being with my racing family. Our bosses, my co-workers, and our competitors. We are together a lot, and I can’t imagine my life without them in it. “
Finally, we asked Denise if she had any advice for up and coming flagmen and women in the sport, or younger people aspiring to be a flagperson in the sport. “My advice to anyone flagging or aspiring to flag is to always remember that children and people are watching you! Be a positive role model on the flag stand and off the flag stand. Remember you represent a brand. No matter if you’re flagging for NASCAR or your local track, you have a chance to represent in a positive way. Be that person and remember that the job is very special and you are special! “
What does it feel like when 40 cars thunder underneath your feet? According to those who have stood in the “crow’s nest,” it’s a sensory assault. The vibration rattles your teeth, and the vacuum of air created by the lead pack pulls at your clothes.
The Legacy of the Wave
Denise Engle represents the bridge between the grit of old-school racing and the professionalized era of modern motorsports. Every time she leans over that railing, she carries the responsibility of the drivers’ safety and the fans’ excitement in the palms of her hands.
The next time you’re at an ARCA race and the field takes the green, look up. You’ll see the flags blurring in the wind, guided by the steady hand and sharp eyes of the woman who keeps the “Eye of the Storm” organized.
Discover more from Speedway Action Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
