From IndyCar
Janet Guthrie made history in 1977 when she became the first female driver to compete in the famed Indianapolis 500.
Guthrie reflected on how far women have progressed in the sport.
“Frankly, I thought it would take longer than this,” she said. “I thought it would take two generations and it only seems to have taken one.”
Guthrie, who graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in physics and started competing in sports cars, is the first female to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
She started 29th and finishing 26th in 1977. She fared better in 1978, advancing six positions to finish ninth. Guthrie was an owner/driver in her final Indy 500 in 1979 with a 14th-place start and a 34th-place finish (a year in which 35 cars took the green flag).
Lyn St. James would follow Guthrie’s path to Indianapolis, competing from 1992 to 2000, with a high finish of 11th in her inaugural race.
Sarah Fisher was a rookie in St. James’ final Indy 500 and is in her third season as an IZOD IndyCar Series owner/driver.
Danica Patrick became the first female to lead laps in the Indianapolis 500 during her rookie campaign in 2005 and went on to finish fourth. Patrick’s third-place finish in last year’s race is the highest by a female.
Milka Duno of Venezuela has competed in the past three Indy 500s with a high finish of 19th in 2008.
This year, Simona De Silvestro of Switzerland and Ana Beatriz of Brazil join the veterans for the first day of practice May 15.
Janet Guthrie made history in 1977 when she became the first female driver to compete in the famed Indianapolis 500.
Guthrie reflected on how far women have progressed in the sport.
“Frankly, I thought it would take longer than this,” she said. “I thought it would take two generations and it only seems to have taken one.”
Guthrie, who graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in physics and started competing in sports cars, is the first female to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
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| Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
She started 29th and finishing 26th in 1977. She fared better in 1978, advancing six positions to finish ninth. Guthrie was an owner/driver in her final Indy 500 in 1979 with a 14th-place start and a 34th-place finish (a year in which 35 cars took the green flag).
Lyn St. James would follow Guthrie’s path to Indianapolis, competing from 1992 to 2000, with a high finish of 11th in her inaugural race.
Sarah Fisher was a rookie in St. James’ final Indy 500 and is in her third season as an IZOD IndyCar Series owner/driver.
Danica Patrick became the first female to lead laps in the Indianapolis 500 during her rookie campaign in 2005 and went on to finish fourth. Patrick’s third-place finish in last year’s race is the highest by a female.
Milka Duno of Venezuela has competed in the past three Indy 500s with a high finish of 19th in 2008.
This year, Simona De Silvestro of Switzerland and Ana Beatriz of Brazil join the veterans for the first day of practice May 15.