Danica

Danica Sue Patrick is an American former professional racer. She is the most successful American woman open-wheel racing driver. Her win at the Indy Japan 300 in 2008 is her first triumph. With the consent of her parents she quit highschool and moved to the United Kingdom in 1998 to pursue a career. Patrick took part in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before returning to the United States in 2001 due to a lack of funding. In 2002, she raced in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races along with Rahal Letterman racing. Patrick was a Toyota Atlantic Series racer for the next two seasons. Her best finish was third in championship standings for 2004 season. She became one of the women in the series to earn an overall position. She was awarded the 2005 IndyCar Series Rookie of Year. She saw improvement throughout the following two seasons with Rahal Letterman Racing 2006, and later Andretti Green Racing 2007. Patrick was sixth overall in drivers standings in 2008 following her Japan win. She improved her position to earn fifth place the following season. This was her best finish to date of third at the Indianapolis 500, the best race of any woman at the race. Patrick's overall performances slowed during 2010, but she still was able to finish second at oval tracks before she left IndyCar after the 2011 season to concentrate on racing stock cars full-time.