NATIONAL NEWS
April 21, 2008
A Historic Win
Danica Patrick, 26, raced into the history books last Sunday when she became the first woman ever to win an IndyCar race. Patrick defeated two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves in the Indy Japan 300, held in Motegi, Japan.
 |  KATSUMI KASAHARA Danica Patrick speeds to the finish line first in the Japan Indy 300. |
Patrick stayed close to the leaders throughout the race. She made her move at the very end of the 200-lap race. She trailed in fourth place in the 197th lap, then roared into first place in the 198th lap.
This win is Patrick's 50th try in an IndyCar series race. "It's a long time coming," she said. "When I passed (Castroneves) for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous!"
Until Sunday, Patrick's biggest racing accomplishment had been becoming the first woman to lead in the Indianapolis 500. She finished fourth in that race in 2003, the best finish ever by a female driver.
Now, Patrick has a bigger win to boast about. "I'm so happy and so proud of her," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, Patrick's team. "It has always been a question of when—not if—she was going to win, and I'm so proud of the way she did it."
The Long RoadPatrick began go-cart racing in 1992, when she was 10 years old. At age 16, she moved to England. She snagged second place in England's prestigious Formula Ford Festival, earning her the best finish for a woman and for any American.
Although Patrick is recognized around the world as one of the best female race-car drivers in the history of the sport, she had never won a race before Sunday. Many thought her losing streak would never end. But her luck started to change in 2005 when she was named Rookie of the Year for both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series season. And, last year, Patrick finished seventh in the standings, a career best.
Still, Patrick yearned for that big win. "I've been asked so many times when and if I can win my first race," she said. "Finally, no more of these questions. I'm glad it finally happened."
Leading LadiesPatrick isn't the first woman to blaze a trail in the racing world. In 1976, Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to take part in NASCAR's World 600 race. She finished in 15th place. Guthrie was also the first female driver in the Indianapolis 500.
In 2005, only three women had ever taken part in races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But by last year, three women competed in the same race. Patrick's win closes the gender gap a little more. "We have all believed in her, and she proved today that she is a winner," said Andretti. "I think this is the first of many."
