Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick is an American former professional racing driver born March 25, 1982, in Beloit, Wisconsin, widely regarded as the most accomplished woman in American open-wheel racing history. Competing in the IndyCar Series from 2005 to 2011, she became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race, at the 2008 Indy Japan 300, was named 2005 IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, and recorded the highest-ever female finish at the Indianapolis 500, third place, in 2009. She moved to NASCAR for the 2012 through 2018 seasons, becoming the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup Series pole position, at the 2013 Daytona 500, where she went on to finish eighth, the highest-ever female finish in that race; across 191 Cup Series starts she recorded seven top-ten finishes, more starts, laps led and top-ten finishes than any other woman in series history. She was voted the IndyCar Series' Most Popular Driver every year from 2005 to 2010.