The Best Female Racers of All Time

5. Danica Patrick

Whether you like her or not she is, without question, the most famous female racing driver of all time. Danica started her career in go-karts before moving to the UK to race in formula cars. She was extremely successful in open wheel racing and took 2nd in Britain’s Formula Ford Festival — racing against drivers like future F1 Champion Jenson Button.

After some successful years of racing in the UK, Danica came back to the states and in 2005 became the 4th woman to ever compete in the Indy 500. She made history again in 2005 when she placed 4th making it the best finish of all time for a female in the Indy 500. Then, in 2008, she shattered racing stereotypes and became the first woman to win an Indy Car race in 2008 followed by a podium finish at the Indi 500 in 2009.

All the while, Danica was involved in competitive races like the Rolex 24HR of Daytona and rumors of possibly dabbling in Formula 1.

Danica is now best known for her current stint in NASCAR, although her career in the Sprint Cup has been marred by crashes and poor luck. We hope to see her on a NASCAR podium or in an F1 car very soon.