Danica Patrick - Modern Role Models Author:Kristine Brennan At 10 years old, Danica Patrick thought that nothing compared to flying around the track in a go-kart. Later, she gave up the proms and parties of high school to drive real race cars. Danica moved to England alone, mixing it up with the boys in open-wheel racing. It was lonely and sometimes painful to be a teenage girl on her own. But it also ma... more »de Danica stronger. Back in the United States, she channeled this toughness into her driving. Danica's breakthrough moment came at the 2005 Indy 500, when she led for a total of 19 laps. She also finished fourth overall at Indy. This was the best finish ever by a woman - and impressive for any rookie, male or female. Using her talent and her striking good looks to become the face of Indy-style racing has sparked some controversy, but Danica keeps roaring into racing history on her own terms. In 2008 she became the first woman ever to win an Indy car event, and her future appears bright.« less