Danica Patrick's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Danica Patrick.

Danica Patrick is a retired American professional racing driver and model, recognized as the most successful woman in American open-wheel car racing history. Her landmark achievement includes a victory at the 2008 Indy Japan 300, marking the only IndyCar Series race win by a female driver. Beyond racing, she has also pursued modeling.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: WKA Grand National Championship

In 1994, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the Yamaha Sportsman class.

1996: Regional Karting Titles

In 1996, Danica Patrick won regional karting titles.

1997: WKA Grand National Championship

In 1997, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.

2004: Toyota Atlantic Series Pole Position

In 2004, Danica Patrick achieved her best effort as third in the championship standings for the season, becoming the first woman to win a pole position in the Toyota Atlantic Series.

2005: IndyCar Series Debut and Rookie of the Year

In 2005, Danica Patrick debuted in the IndyCar Series with Rahal Letterman Racing and took three pole positions. She was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series.

2006: 24 Hours of Daytona and IndyCar Season

In 2006, Danica Patrick made her endurance racing debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona and continued her IndyCar campaign with Rahal Letterman Racing, finishing ninth in the final standings. She was also awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the March of Dimes.

2008: Victory at Indy Japan 300

In 2008, Danica Patrick achieved a historic victory at the Indy Japan 300, marking the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race to date.

2008: Maiden IndyCar Victory

In 2008, Danica Patrick secured her maiden IndyCar victory at the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi on April 20th. She moved to the front with three laps remaining after previous leaders pitted for fuel, holding the lead to win and becoming the first woman to win a top-level sanctioned open wheel car racing event.

2009: Indianapolis 500 Record Finish

In 2009, Danica Patrick achieved her best finish at the Indianapolis 500, placing third. This set a new record for the highest-placed finish for a woman in Indianapolis 500 history.

2011: Highest-Finishing Woman in NASCAR History

In 2011, Danica Patrick became the highest-finishing woman in national NASCAR history at Las Vegas when she placed fourth in the Sam's Town 300 race, surpassing Sara Christian's 62-year record.

2013: First Woman to Clinch Daytona 500 Pole

In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first woman to clinch the pole position for the Daytona 500 and the first female to achieve the feat in the Sprint Cup Series.

2013: Daytona 500 Pole Position and Eighth-Place Finish

In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a Cup Series pole position by setting the fastest qualifying lap for the 2013 Daytona 500, where she finished eighth.

2015: Most Top Tens by a Woman

In 2015, Danica Patrick scored two top-ten finishes (seventh at the STP 500 and ninth at the Food City 500), surpassing Janet Guthrie for the most top tens by a woman in Sprint Cup Series history. She also became the first woman to start a hundred Cup Series races at the Quaker State 400.