Danica

Danica Sue Patrick is an American former professional racing racer. She has been the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing. Her victory at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is the only female winner at the history of an IndyCar Series race.Born to a working class family from Beloit, Wisconsin, Patrick started karting at the age of 10 and gained early success when she won her class in the World Karting Association Grand National Championship three times in the early 1990s. She dropped out of high school with permission from her parents in 1998 and relocating to the United Kingdom to further her career. Patrick participated in Formula Vauxhall, Formula Ford before returning to the United States in 2001. In 2002, she competed in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races for Rahal Letterman Racing. Patrick competed in the Toyota Atlantic Series the following two years. Her best finish was third in championship standings for 2004 season. She became the first female driver in the race to secure a pole position. She was named the Rookie of the Year at both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series. She continued to improve through Rahal Letterman Racing (2006) and Andretti Green Racing (2007). Patrick was sixth in the driver's standings after winning in Japan. The following year she improved upon this and placed fifth overall in the driver's standings. She also finished in a career-high third place at Indianapolis 500, which was the most impressive performance by a female driver in the race. Patrick's overall performance was disappointing in 2010, however, she was able to secure two second-place finishes on oval tracks prior to leaving IndyCar to concentrate full-time on stock car racing.