Date:21/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042160882200.htm

Sport - Racing : Motor

Danica creates history

MOTEGI (Japan): Danica 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 Danica, 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.

Danica’s first IndyCar race was in 2005 at Homestead-Miami.

Danica said the nicest thing about Sunday’s win is that she no longer had to answer those annoying questions about when she would win.

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. — AP