Monday, May 30, 2011

Danica Patrick

    Danica Sue Patrick (born March 25, 1982) is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman currently competing in the IndyCar Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season. With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race. Patrick currently drives the GoDaddy.com Honda/Dallara for Andretti Autosport. In 2010, Patrick began racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving the GoDaddy.com Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports part-time. She also has an equity stake in her team. She placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal best for her at the track and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history. In 2011 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Patrick became the first woman to lead a lap at Daytona International Speedway. She had her best career finish of 4th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on March 5, 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. By doing this, she set a record for the best finish by a woman in a NASCAR top-circuit race.