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        Patrick Wins First IndyCar Race

        By JIM ARMSTRONG,
        AP
        Posted: 2008-04-21 13:32:45
        MOTEGI, Japan (April 19) — Danica Patrick never doubted a woman could win a race. It finally happened Sunday.

        Photo Gallery

        Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

        Danica's
        Historic Win

        1 of 6    

        It took her 50 races, but Danica Patrick finally did it. The 26-year-old wins her first IndyCar race at the Indy Japan 300 and becomes the first female winner in the history of the series.



        Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history on Sunday, winning the Indy Japan 300 in her 50th career start.

        "I'm glad it finally happened," said Patrick. "But I would be lying if I told you I didn't think it would be me."

        Win No. 1 was a long time coming for 26-year-old Patrick, who finished a career-best seventh in the season standings last year when her best finish was second in the race at Detroit's Belle Isle.

        Patrick's first IndyCar race was in 2005 at Homestead-Miami.

        Patrick said the nicest thing about Sunday's win is that she no longer has to answer those annoying questions about when she'd win.

        "I've been asked so many times when and if I can win my first race and finally, no more of those questions."


        At the 2005 Indy 500, she nearly won the pole and became the first female driver to lead the race en route to a fourth-place finish. It was the best finish by a woman at Indy, and helped her take rookie of the year honors.

        She won Sunday's race with a combination of cool composure and fuel strategy, taking the lead from pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 198th lap in the 200-lap race.

        "When I had to talk into my radio after the race, all I could say was 'thank you,"' said Patrick, who finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of Castroneves on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval.

        Patrick praised her Andretti Green Racing teammates for helping her make the right decisions in Sunday's race.

        "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me," said Patrick. "I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

        Patrick, who started from the third row and made her final pit stop on lap 148, stayed close to the leaders throughout the race and realized she had a chance when the top contenders headed to the pits late in the race.

        Patrick went from fourth to second place on lap 197 after Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan went into the pit on lap 196. She was as low as eighth place on the 189th lap.

        "I knew from the start of the last fuel load that I was going to have a chance," said Patrick. "I was saving fuel from the first lap but it wasn't until I passed Helio that I knew I was going to win."


        Scott Dixon took the lead from Castroneves on the 93rd lap in the race pushed back to Sunday because of wet track conditions Saturday, but gave up the top spot to pit for fuel on lap 194.

        Patrick said the emotions came out on the victory lap.

        "When it actually happened, maybe it was a little anticlimactic," said Patrick, who shed a tear in the victory lane. "Then the emotions came out and that was a little girly of me."

        Patrick received a warm welcome from her family near the winner's podium.

        "There was a lot of "I love you,' and 'congratulations,' said Patrick. "My dad said it was the best day of his life."

        Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, was ecstatic with Patrick's historical win.

        "Danica is such a fantastic person and I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing. "We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many."

        Dixon was third, 10.0559 seconds behind Patrick. Wheldon was fourth, and Kanaan finished fifth.

        Castroneves, awarded the pole position after qualifying was rained out Friday, said Patrick ran a great race.

        "With five laps to go, I was saving fuel," Castroneves said. "When Danica passed me, I realized she was the leader. She did a great job, passed me fair and square and that shows you how competitive our series is."



        Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
        2008-04-20 00:16:30


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        Recent Comments

        1 - 10 of 1195
        1195 comments

        HarRoberts 08:27:35 PM May 23 2008

        dont get me wrong the only reason i tune into open wheel racing is to see what
        danicas doing i want to see her succeed but she needs to go wheel to wheel
        and grab one of these races by the .......um..........throat a win is a win
        but winning on fuel mileage is liking kissing your sister.......or brother

        shawn112476 10:35:42 AM May 12 2008

        Wow you can drive a car really fast! What an athlete.I guess pro bowlers and poker players are athletes too?

        nobska44 07:12:06 PM May 04 2008

        TO; Danica Patrick
        I'm a race enthusiat in my eighties, and I wish you all the luck in the world in the Indy 500.
        You have shown the world that smart thinking can win a race for any one. All my good wishes for success in all future races.
        DaveO

        denise0812 01:14:24 PM Apr 30 2008

        Danica is a very talented woman. The second and third place winners were very funny, pointing to their dinky trophies. Way to go Danica. Keep up the good work.

        pkopylec1 10:23:40 AM Apr 22 2008

        WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT HER CRYING AFTER SHE WON FIRST FIRST INDY CAR RACE. wHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR HER... SHE'S THE FIRST, GOD LEAVE HER ALONE.... AT LEAST SHE WASN'T A BLUBBER IDIOT LIKE BRETT FARVE......... DANICA.... WILL YOU MARRY ME?

        vanvroom 12:58:16 AM Apr 22 2008

        yeah!!

        aacars1 09:15:57 PM Apr 21 2008

        i love this women she kicks it , and is all heart , hope she gets some more of that , may the wind be always under your wings . Danica , keep up the good work .

        happytimehill 07:56:09 PM Apr 21 2008

        Some of you still have it wrong. Danica IS talented and will win even more races.
        WAY TO GO DANICA!

        channelcat0 04:44:56 PM Apr 21 2008

        atta girl

        cwest2bill 03:54:21 PM Apr 21 2008

        You Go Girl!

        1 - 10 of 1195
        1195 comments

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