Danica Patrick

 Danica Sue Patrick (/'daenIk@/; born March 25, 1982) is an American former professional race driver. She is the most successful American female open-wheel racing driver. Her win at the Indy Japan 300 in 2008 is her only IndyCar Series win. Patrick was born to an ordinary family from Beloit (Wisconsin) and started racing when she was just ten years old. She was the winner of her class at the World Karting Association Grand National Championship three times over the late 1990s. With the consent of her parents she quit high school and moved to the United Kingdom in 1998 to pursue a career in karting. Patrick competed in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before returning to the United States in 2001 due to a lack of funds. In 2002, she participated in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races for Rahal Letterman Racing. Patrick competed in the Toyota Atlantic Series the following two years. She was the first woman to take the pole position in the series in 2004 thanks to her best performance.