In a race that made history, Danica Patrick became the first woman to take eighth in the Daytona 500, as well as the first woman to lead twice (for five laps) in the race.
For those who aren’t familiar with NASCAR, the Daytona 500 is a 500 mile-long race held every year in Daytona, Florida, at the Daytona International Speedway. The Sprint Cup Series’ first race of the year, the Daytona 500 is most important race in NASCAR.
Patrick is inarguably the best female driver in the history of NASCAR. She took third in the Indy 500 in 2009 (the highest ever for a woman), and the first to ever win an Indy race, at the Indy Japan 300, back in 2008.
In a gripping finish to the dramatic race, Patrick started the final lap in third place, but moved to ninth. Avoiding the first crash (when driver Kyle Larsen lost control of his car, sending it flying into the catch-fence and injuring 28 fans), Patrick moved up near the front just in time, missing a nine-car crash behind her, the second of the race.
Despite her success in the male-dominated sport, Patrick announced prior to the race that she isn’t in it to prove anything, or trying to make headlines as the fastest woman in NASCAR.
“Being a girl in a guy’s world-that’s not what I’m trying to say,” said Patrick in a press conference, prior to the race. “But if you have a talent for something- to not be afraid to follow through with it.”
Photo credit: USA Today