Danica Sue Patrick (born March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin) is an American auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season. In May 2006, she published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line. With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race. She also has an equity stake in her #7 team. She placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal high for her at the track and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history.

INDYCAR SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

First start: March 6, 2005 (Homestead-Miami Speedway)
First pole: July 3, 2005 (Kansas Speedway)
First victory: April 22, 2008 (Twin Ring Motegi)

2009
● Finished third in Indianapolis 500.
● Starts: 5
● Wins: 0
● Top 5: 4
● Top 10: 4
● Poles: 0
● Laps Led: 0
● Running at Finish: 4
● Earnings: $788,305

2008
● Finished sixth in IndyCar Series standings for Andretti Green Racing.
● Became first female to win a major closed-course auto race in April at Twin Ring Motegi.
● Recorded 10 top-10 finishes and led two races.

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.

ROAD TO INDYCAR SERIES

2004
● Finished third in Toyota Atlantic series standings driving for Rahal Letterman Racing.
● Became first female to lead in points when she led the standings after the Portland race.
● Recorded 10 top-five finishes in 12 races, including a best finish of second at Portland.
● Earned first career pole position at Portland to become first female driver to win a Toyota Atlantic series pole position.

2003
● Finished sixth in Toyota Atlantic series standings driving for Team Rahal.
● Earned five top-five finishes, including best finish of second at Miami.
● Became first female driver in series history to finish on podium with third-place at Monterrey, Mexico.

2002
● Won pro division of Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at Long Beach Grand Prix from pole position.
● Signed with Team Rahal and named driver for team's 2003 Toyota Atlantic series program.
● Competed in five Barber Dodge Pro Series events for Team Rahal with best finish of fourth (Vancouver).

2001
● Competed in British Zetek Formula Ford Championship.
● Earned Gorsline Scholarship Award, given to top upcoming road-racing driver.

2000
● Competed in British Zetek Formula Ford Championship for Andy Welch and European Formula Ford Series for Haywood Racing.
● Finished second at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, England, the highest finish by an American in the event.

1999
● Finished ninth in British Formula Vauxhall Championship.

1998
● Made European debut in Formula Vauxhall Winter Series.
● Competed in a limited karting schedule while attending Formula Ford Racing School in Canada.

Early Career

Competed in kart racing, winning several World Karting Association Regional, National and Grand National championships. (read less)

Danica Sue Patrick (born March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin) is an American auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season. In May 2006, she published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line. With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race. She also has an equity stake in her #7 team. She... (read more)