Danica Patrick Finally Wins

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Apr 19, 2008

No longer is she only the IRL eye-candy that looks better than she races. Danica Patrick won her first IRL race in the rain delayed event at Twin Ring Motegi. She becomes the first female to win in the IndyCar Series, significant indeed. It was her 50th career start in IRL. Patrick was a rookie in 2005.

Patrick took advantage of fuel mileage after Scott Dixon pitted. She passed Helio Castroneves and pulled away to win by over 5.8 seconds.

"It's a long time coming, finally...I was managing to save fuel and keep the speed up and when I saw Helio, I knew he was the one to beat," said the euphoric winner.

Cynics have accused Danica Patrick of being the Anna Kournakova of auto racing. Sure, she has sex appeal, but can she win? Patrick answered those questions in Japan. It is time to take Patrick seriously.

And Helio, you got beat by a girl.