Source: IndyCar The road to her first IndyCar victory at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan has not been easy.. Though she began racing because younger sister Brooke wanted to race, Danica Patrick won numerous karting titles. At 16, she left home for England, where raced in some of the most difficult junior series in the world. The highlight was a runner-up finish in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, the highest finish by an American in the event's history. That result drew the attention of Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal, who signed her to a contract and began shepherding Patrick up the racing ladder.The 2005 IndyCar Series season was a banner year for Patrick as she started fourth and finished fourth at the 89th Indianapolis 500 and earned JP Morgan Chase Rookie of the Year honors. It was the highest starting and finishing position for a woman driver in the event's history. The rookie led 19 laps during the race to become the first woman to lead at Indianapolis. She capped the IndyCar Series season by winning the Bombardier Rookie of the Year Award after finishing 12th in the standings for Rahal Letterman Racing.Patrick has become one of the most recognizable female athletes in the United States, gracing the covers of publications such as Sports Illustrated, TV Guide and ESPN: The Magazine. She most recently was featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. DANICA'S INDYCAR SERIES HIGHLIGHTS First start: March 6, 2005 (Homestead-Miami Speedway)First pole: July 3, 2005 (Kansas Speedway)2007● Finished seventh in IndyCar Series standings in first season with Andretti Green Racing.● Recorded four top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes with a best finish of second at Belle Isle.● Runner-up finish at Belle Isle matched best finish by a female driver in the IndyCar Series (Sarah Fisher, Homestead-Miami 2001).● Qualified on the front row at Mid-Ohio and Infineon.● Voted Indy DownForce Most Popular Driver for third consecutive season.2006● Finished ninth in IndyCar Series standings for Rahal Letterman Racing despite sitting out season-opening race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.● Recorded two top-five and eight top-10 finishes with best finish of fourth (Nashville and Milwaukee).● Started 10th and finished eighth in Indianapolis 500.● Voted Indy DownForce Most Popular Driver for second consecutive season.2005● Won Bombardier Rookie of the Year Award after finishing 12th in IndyCar Series standings for Rahal Letterman Racing.● Recorded two top-five and seven top-10 finishes with best finish of fourth (Motegi and Indianapolis).● Earned three pole positions (Kansas, Kentucky, Chicagoland) to tie Tomas Scheckter's rookie record for pole positions in a season.● Started fourth and finished fourth at 89th Indianapolis 500 and earned Chase Rookie of the Year honors. The highest starting and finishing position for a woman driver in the event's history. Led 19 laps, the first woman to lead at Indianapolis.
IRL: Danica Patrick takes historical win