Jessica McMillin works as an executive in the family real estate business, McMillin Realty, and is totally committed to the development of the company. The 26-year-old San Diego native lived with her family in Coronado, and now lives in Point Loma. In her off hours, Jessica transforms into a hardcore off-road racer with years of experience in the desert.

Off-road racing is a McMillin family tradition spanning more than 30 years. In the early 1970’s, the man described by many as one of San Diego’s most inspirational and successful real estate businessmen ever, the late Corky McMillin, entered his first ever SCORE off-road race. Since that first race, the familiar blue “M” has been prominent in off-road races.

Racing for 500 miles nonstop is demanding on the human body. In order to deal with the extreme heat, dust and loud noise of the 500 horsepower motor she sits behind, Jessica prepares herself by staying in top physical shape, mainly by eating right and keeping a very active lifestyle which includes water sports and snowboarding in the winter. Separated by only a single sheet of aluminum between the motor and the driver’s cockpit, the heat and noise are fierce. Desert racing has been dominated by men, but since the mid–1960’s, women have competed against them.

Race trucks are complicated machines that are custom built, featuring special engines and transmissions. After every race, the trucks are disassembled, cleaned, fitted with new parts and put back together for the next race. Race team mechanics are constantly engineering new and improved components as the racers provide input after each test session and race.

She attends each race, showing her keen ability to calculate each second of the race in order to provide Jessica with a snapshot of where her competitors are at a moment’s notice.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed San Diego native began racing competitively in 2010; however, midway through the season she suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined her from the rigorous physical activity of driving off-road trucks.

“I grew up in the world of off-road racing. Grandpa Corky and my dad were racing when I was just a kid and it’s been part of our family ever since I can remember. We used to go to the desert and camp. Andy and I would race against each other in buggies all night long,” reminisced Jessica.

“I remember my dad winning some big Baja races and how exciting it was to be part of the experience. I can’t imagine our family not racing and competing against the best racers in the world. It’s really part of our lifestyle. Winning my first Baja race at the SCORE San Felipe 250 was special. That has always been our family’s favorite race. Both my dad and brother have won that race, so winning in the Pro Truck is pretty cool.”

Jessica buckles up her seatbelts and tightens the strap of her Carbon Fiber race helmet. She looked out just above the hood as the race radio crackles with information from the crew. Transmitting directly into her helmet, this communication provides the only link to the world outside of this 2-person race truck cockpit. With the drop of the green flag, she’s off for the Baja 500.

She races through Ensenada’s expanding city limits before settling in for a race day that would eventually span 16 hours, 32 minutes and 21 seconds. The first 40 miles of the racecourse are wall-to-wall fans, all waiting for a glimpse of their favorite racer. And Jessica is a big favorite among the fans.

Racing with her father for the first section, they charged through what some have designated as being the toughest SCORE Baja 500 course in the history of the race. Crossing the ever-so-challenging rocky summit and driving down the rockslide to the deep sand washes near Cohobuzo Junction and navigating across the Laguna Salada dry lakebed at over 100 miles per hour is what Jessica defines as fun.

As the sun set over the Pacific, she noticed a mechanical issue with the race truck transmission. Jessica was forced to endure a long stop alongside the racecourse so the crew could change the broken transmission. At 3:30 a.m., and after withstanding 452.84 brutal miles of Baja’s toughest desert, Jessica crossed the finish line earning her third victory in 2011.

Removing her helmet and letting her blonde hair fly loose, Jessica smiled and said, “Grandpa Corky always told me to never, ever give up and this team did just that. It was a long day, but we got it done!”

It is a source of pride that the team now includes three generations of McMillin racers. Corky McMillin, who described himself as “over the hill and picking up speed,” always maintained his energy and enthusiasm for the sport until his passing in September, 2005.

The pursuit of racing success includes long hours and overcoming the many challenges involved—no different than the hard work it takes to become successful in business or life.

Jessica recounted, “I always remember Grandpa Corky teaching us grandchildren that you never, ever quit. I apply that motto to each aspect of my life, whether in business, racing or my personal life and at times it may become challenging, but in the end, it’s worth it. The journey of life is full of challenges along the way, it’s how you get through them that builds on the character of success.”

Like most athletes, Jessica is happiest when she’s racing at speed, and says, “My adrenaline gets pumped up and I like to go fast.” Surrounded by a 4130 Chromoly steel cage and seated in a suspension race seat, the safety features of a race truck are numerous, but it’s a serious commitment and trust in the truck and crew that allow her to go fast.

At the time you don’t understand those decisions, but as you mature and reevaluate those decisions, you understand that they had the best intentions for me. I get it now.”

Surrounded by some of the best people in both business and racing, these life experiences have been a tremendous asset to the San Diego executive. She’s climbed the ladder of success in recent years, but it hasn’t been without hard work. Jessica McMillin is committed to success.