Founder · U.S. Air Force Veteran

Rowdie McMahon

Rowdie served as a U.S. Air Force nurse in Afghanistan, working brutal 14-to-16-hour shifts treating mass casualties at Bagram under rocket attack.

She came home with a destroyed body, a traumatic brain injury, and a mind that would not shut off. She could no longer work as a nurse. Some days were just a fight to stay above water.

For her birthday, her husband took her to Speed Vegas. A few minutes behind the wheel of a race car, and something woke back up. She was not just driving — she was fast. For the first time in a long time, her smile was real.

That day became the first step toward building Shield Maiden Racing.

Team · U.S. Army Veteran

On

On served overseas with Sergeant Aaron Buckley, U.S. Army — battle buddies who went through hell together.

In 2019, Aaron took his own life. On carries that loss with him every day.

Instead of facing the silence alone, On found a new team — in the pits, in the cars, building something real with brothers and sisters who understand exactly what he has been through.

Every lap this team takes is for the ones like Aaron who never got the chance to find their way back. It is why the team keeps showing up for the ones who are still here, like On.

In memory of Sergeant Aaron Buckley, U.S. Army · August 2, 1984 – April 22, 2019.

Team · Motorcycle Road Racer

Helmut Kohler Jr.

Helmut spent over a decade racing motorcycles for Team Miramar Racing, working up to Expert class on the WERA West circuit under car #151. Maverick brought him into the sport and taught him to ride.

He’s been part of Shield Maiden Racing since the beginning — one of the original three drivers alongside Rowdie and Maverick, and one of the hands that built the team’s first car. That #151 later became the 988 Veterans Crisis Line car, still racing today as Team 988 Lifeline.

Helmut has had his own hard stretches, including years raising his kids alone as a single dad. The team stayed with him through it, the same way it stays with everyone.