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Danica Is 1st Female to Win IndyCar

Patrick takes the Japan 300

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 20, 2008 10:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Danica Patrick zoomed to victory in the Japan 300, becoming the first female winner in IndyCar history. Patrick pulled ahead when her top competitors were forced to make pit-stops to fuel up in the final laps, the AP reports. "It's a long time coming. Finally," Patrick said. She became the first female driver to lead in the Indy 500 in 2005, helping her to Rookie of the Year honors.

Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, poses with her trophy on the podium as second place finisher Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske shows his smaller one on the podium.
Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, poses with her trophy on the podium as second place finisher Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske shows his smaller one on the podium.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, kisses her husband Paul Hospenthal after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, kisses her husband Paul Hospenthal after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi...   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing goes though turn four on the way to winning Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing goes though turn four on the way to winning Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast...   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
American Danica Patrick goes though turn four on the way to winning Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.
American Danica Patrick goes though turn four on the way to winning Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing sprays champagne with second-place Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske on the podium after winning the Indy Japan 300 auto racing at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008. Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history...
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing sprays champagne with second-place Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske on the podium after winning the Indy Japan 300 auto racing at Twin Ring Motegi...   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing shows off her trophy after winning the Indy Japan 300 auto racing at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.
Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing shows off her trophy after winning the Indy Japan 300 auto racing at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Sunday, April 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing races on her way to winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race.
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing races on her way to winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing speaks during a press conference after she won the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race.
American Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing speaks during a press conference after she won the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race.   (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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