Danica Patrick to start first at Daytona
Danica Patrick speaks to reporters after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.
February 17th, 2013
03:45 PM ET

Danica Patrick to start first at Daytona

Danica Patrick became the first woman to win pole position in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series history, posting the top qualifying time for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Her lap of 45.817 seconds - at a top speed of 196.434 mph - means she'll start in the front row in the February 24 race, alongside Jeff Gordon.

Two previous pole positions earned by women in NASCAR came in the Nationwide Series. Those were earned by Patrick last year at Daytona, and Shawna Robinson in 1994 in Atlanta, according to NASCAR.

Patrick, 30, is in her first full year as a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. Last year she made 10 Sprint Cup starts.

FULL STORY
Post by: ,
Filed under: Auto racing • Florida • NASCAR • Sports
soundoff (14 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    Good luck to her.

    February 17, 2013 at 4:00 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Judi

    You GO lady!!!

    February 17, 2013 at 4:00 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Andrew

    I don't think your headline writer knows what the expression "glass ceiling" means.

    February 17, 2013 at 4:01 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Peter

    It was never a question of "if" only a question of "when" Danica has all the right stuff, and then some.

    February 17, 2013 at 4:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • Andrew

      She's been racing Indy Car and NASCAR for almost 10 years and has one win (a fuel strategy win, at that).

      I wish her no ill will, but I'm not sure she has "all the right stuff, and then some." She's average, at best.

      February 17, 2013 at 4:26 pm | Report abuse |
    • 1608

      Mad Skills is what she has Andrew try to keep up.

      February 18, 2013 at 11:01 am | Report abuse |
  5. Steve

    12 year old boys should not be allowed to use mommys computer!

    February 17, 2013 at 5:18 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Steve

    Andrew a lot of people ran Indy for more than that and NEVER won a race! ALL nascar races are fuel mileage races! if you dont think so try not refueling! If she won by fuel mileage then Dan Weldon won the 2005 Indy 500 because of fuel, Danica had to turn down her power to avoid running out of fuel, allowing Weldon to catch her, otherwise she wins the 2005 Indy 500! so you cant have it both ways!

    February 17, 2013 at 5:23 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Robin

    Oh, I wish I had tickets to go this year to see that in person with my husband. I would hold a sign up everytime she past my section with the words "WE ARE PROUD!!!! GIRLS ACROSS THE WORLD!!!!"

    February 17, 2013 at 6:38 pm | Report abuse |
  8. dazzle ©

    Go Danica, you are terrific

    February 17, 2013 at 9:50 pm | Report abuse |
  9. ronvan

    DANICA: Intelligent, "go daddy.com", and a FOX! Racing in a "mans game", she continues to show her capability to not only keep up with them, but win!

    February 18, 2013 at 8:46 am | Report abuse |
  10. mkr

    I'm 79 yrs old and she makes me feel young again.

    February 18, 2013 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
  11. Carmelle

    Congratulations but she looks very unhappy for some reason,...

    February 18, 2013 at 11:36 am | Report abuse |
  12. Ancient Texan

    Not only a looker, but intelligent and has the nerve to excell.

    February 18, 2013 at 8:03 pm | Report abuse |
« Back to main