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, notable as the most successful woman in American open-wheel car racing. Her landmark achievement includes winning the 2008 Indy Japan 300, marking the only IndyCar Series race victory by a female driver. Patrick's career has broken barriers and paved the way for women in motorsports.
1994: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1994, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the Yamaha Sportsman class.
1996: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1996, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.
1997: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1997, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.
2000: Second in Formula Ford Festival
In 2000, Danica Patrick came second in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, tying Danny Sullivan's best performance by an American in the event.
2001: Awarded Gorsline Scholarship Award
In 2001, Danica Patrick was awarded the Gorsline Scholarship Award, recognizing her as the most aspiring road course competitor.
2002: Won Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
In 2002, Danica Patrick won the professional class of the fund-raising Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
2004: Third in Toyota Atlantic Series Championship
During the 2004 season, Danica Patrick achieved her best result in the Toyota Atlantic Series, finishing third in the championship standings and becoming the first woman to win a pole position in the series.
2004: First Woman to Win Pole Position in Toyota Atlantic Series
In 2004, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a pole position in the Toyota Atlantic Series, at the Portland International Raceway race. She also became the first woman to lead the championship standings.
2005: IndyCar Series Debut and Rookie of the Year Awards
In 2005, Danica Patrick debuted in the IndyCar Series, achieved her best finish of fourth at the Indy Japan 300, and was named Rookie of the Year for both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series. She also took her first career pole position at Kansas Speedway.
2005: Most Popular Driver
In 2005, Danica Patrick was voted the IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver.
2006: Endurance Racing Debut 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. In November, she was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the March of Dimes.
2006: Named One of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People
In 2006, People magazine named Danica Patrick one of the most beautiful people in the world.
2007: Placed Second in Harris Poll's Favorite Female Athlete
In 2007, Danica Patrick placed second behind Serena Williams in the Harris Poll's favorite female athlete.
2007: Voted Sexiest Athlete in Victoria's Secret List
In 2007, Danica Patrick was voted the sexiest athlete in the Victoria's Secret "What is Sexy" list.
2008: Ranked Among Most Powerful in Sports by Bloomberg Businessweek
In 2008, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Danica Patrick the 50th most powerful person in the world of sports.
2008: Indy Japan 300 Victory
In 2008, Danica Patrick achieved a historic victory in the Indy Japan 300, marking the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race.
2008: First IndyCar Victory
In 2008, Danica Patrick secured her first IndyCar victory at the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi on April 20, becoming the first woman to win a top-level sanctioned open wheel car racing event. She finished sixth in the final standings, the highest-placed American that season.
2008: Favorite Female Athlete at Kids' Choice Award
In 2008, Danica Patrick was voted the Favorite Female Athlete at the Kids' Choice Award.
2009: Highest Indianapolis 500 Finish
In 2009, Danica Patrick achieved her best finish at the Indianapolis 500, placing third, setting a new record for the highest-placed finish for a woman in the history of the race. She ended the season fifth overall, her highest finish to date.
2009: Time Magazine Candidate for Most Influential People
In 2009, Time magazine named Danica Patrick a candidate for the 100 most influential people in the world.
2010: Ranked Among Most Powerful in Sports and Women by Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes
In 2010, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Danica Patrick the 88th most powerful person in the world of sports, and Forbes listed her 93rd on the list of World's 100 Most Powerful Women.
2010: Most Popular Driver
In 2010, Danica Patrick was voted the IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver.
2012: Most Popular Driver
In 2012, Danica Patrick was voted the NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver.
2013: First Woman to Clinch Daytona 500 Pole Position
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. She finished eighth in the race, becoming the highest placing woman driver in the history of the Daytona 500.
2013: Won Cup Series Pole Position at Daytona 500
In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a Cup Series pole position by setting the fastest qualifying lap for the Daytona 500, and finished the race in eighth place.
2013: Placed Second in Harris Poll's Favorite Female Athlete
In 2013, Danica Patrick placed second behind Serena Williams in the Harris Poll's favorite female athlete.
2013: Favorite Female Athlete at Kids' Choice Award
In 2013, Danica Patrick was voted the Favorite Female Athlete at the Kids' Choice Award.
2014: Sprint Cup Series
In 2014, Danica Patrick continued in the Sprint Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing, setting three records during the season, including being the first female to lead at the Aaron's 499. She also had the best qualifying performance for any woman at a non-restrictor plate track at the Coca-Cola 600.
2015: Most Top Tens by a Woman in Sprint Cup Series History
In 2015, Danica Patrick had two top-ten finishes and eclipsed 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. She was later penalized for an intentional retaliatory crash.
2015: Placed Second in Harris Poll's Favorite Female Athlete
In 2015, Danica Patrick placed second behind Serena Williams in the Harris Poll's favorite female athlete.
2015: Bested Janet Guthrie's Record
In 2015, Danica Patrick surpassed Janet Guthrie's record for the most top-ten finishes by a woman in the Sprint Cup Series.
July 18, 2018: Hosted the ESPY Awards
On July 18, 2018, Danica Patrick became the first woman to host the ESPY Awards.
2018: Won Legend Award at Kids' Choice Sports
In 2018, Danica Patrick won the legend award at the Kids' Choice Sports.
