In what became a race determined by who best managed their fuel strategy, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300 to become the first women in history to win an Indy race. Her competitors were forced to take a pit stop in the final laps to allow Patrick to take the lead and win.
Patrick took the lead on the 198th lap of the 200 lap race after Scott Dixon refueled with five laps left to go. She finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves, who was the pole-sitter. She made her final pit stop on lap 148.
"It's a long time coming. Finally," Patrick said. "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. 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."
The 26-year-old Patrick's first victory came in her 50th career IndyCar start.
Dixon, who led for a lot of the race, ended third, 10.0559 seconds behind Patrick. Dan Wheldon was fourth, and Tony Kanaan finished fifth. Wheldon and Kanaan went for their final pit stops on lap 196.
» A Lesson from Danica Patrick and Her Historic IndyCar Victory from TheAlphaMarketer
After the smoke cleared at the Indy Japan 300, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar event in history. It was great to see.She, and others in the race, made a comment that's worth listening to as... [Read More]
Tracked on: April 21, 2008 1:57 PM | Permalink to Trackback