Danica Patrick makes IndyCar race history

Sports

Danica Patrick makes IndyCar race history

Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history Sunday, taking the Indy Japan 300 after the top contenders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps.

Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, poses with her trophy on the podium as second place finisher Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske shows his smaller one on the podium.

Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing races on the way to winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 mile auto race.

Patrick's husband, Paul Hospenthal, was ready with a kiss after her historic win.

The race was on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval.

She finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Helio Castroneves in her 50th career IndyCar start.

Danica Patrick waves to the crowd at the racetrack outside Tokyo.

Danica Patrick credited her team, saying, 'It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me.'

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Danica Patrick of Andretti Green Racing, right, poses with her trophy on the podium as second place finisher Brazil's Helio Castroneves of Team Penske shows his smaller one on the podium.

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