Ex-NASCAR General Counsel Leaves Race Track for Family Adventure

Two parents. Two children. Five suitcases.

That’s how Tracey Lesetar-Smith describes her adventure of a lifetime, nearly 12 months of travel spanning three continents, or more than 42,000 miles.

Lesetar-Smith, 42, left her job as NASCAR’S law department leader in November 2021 after an intense stretch in which she helped the professional stock car racing circuit navigate the pandemic and swirling social justice issues. Her sabbatical brought her near the border of a major war in Europe and on another journey throughout Southeast Asia.

First, she had to accept the uncertainty that comes with walking away from an important job ...