Danica

Danica Sue Patrick is an American former professional race driver. Danica Sue Patrick is among the top-performing American woman open-wheel racing driver. Her win in Indy Japan 300 in 2008 was her first victory. She quit high school after her parents' consent in 1998 and moved to the United Kingdom to further her 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 competed in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races for Rahal Letterman Racing. Patrick participated in the Toyota Atlantic Series the following two years. Her best result was third in the championship standings for 2004 season. She became the first female in the series to earn the pole position. She was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series. She improved over the next two seasons, racing with Rahal Letterman Racing 2006, and later Andretti Green Racing 2007. In 2008, Patrick followed up her Japan victory to place sixth overall in the drivers' standings. Her performance improved to finish fifth in the following season, which saw her finish a career-high third in the Indianapolis 500, the best performance of any female at the race. Patrick's overall form declined during the 2010 season, but she was able to finish second at oval tracks before stepping away from IndyCar after the 2011 season in order to focus on stock car racing full-time.