Danica Patrick, 26, in her #7 Motorola car, became the first female winner of an IndyCar race yesterday by winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 race in Montegi, Japan. Due to forced fuel stops by the front runners, Patrick took the lead with only five laps remaining.Patrick has been racing IndyCar for four seasons. Her previous brush with greatness came at the 2005 Indy 500 when she narrowly missed pole position and became the first female driver to lead the race ultimately finishing fourth. As a result, Patrick won rookie of the year award.
Meanwhile, one of Patrick's sponsors, AirTran, is taking advantage of the following media frenzy by preparing overnight a commemorative aircraft livery with Danica's larger than life photo along the fuselage of the Boeing 717-200 aircraft. Dubbed “AirTranica” by air traffic controllers, the airline has announced flight schedules, so people with nothing better to do can possibly get a glance of Danica's smile flying above.
Source: Associated Press
