Firestone helps Patrick break the glass ceiling
Danica Patrick became the first female to win in IndyCar history after taking victory just two laps from the end of the Indy Japan 300 at the weekend.
It was a race dominated by fuel strategy and Patrick's team did it best, allowing her to pass pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on lap 198 of 200. Third-placed Scott Dixon appeared destined to win until being forced to pit for fuel with just five laps remaining.
"This is a long time coming. It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me," Patrick told indycar.com.
"I know I was on the same strategy as Helio, and when I passed him for the lead I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."
Australia's Ryan Briscoe finished in ninth place, a lap down on the leaders.
Castroneves continues to lead the 16-round championship with 112 points, with Dixon on 100 and Patrick 98. The Firestone-backed title-race now returns to the USA for the fourth round in Kansas.
Po. | No. | Drivers | Tyre | Chassis | Engine | Laps | Time |
1 | 7 | Danica Patrick | FS | Dallara | Honda | 200 | 1:51:02.6739 |
2 | 3 | Helio Castroneves | FS | Dallara | Honda | 200 | 1:51:08.5333 |
3 | 9 | Scott Dixon | FS | Dallara | Honda | 200 | 1:51:12.7298 |
4 | 10 | Dan Wheldon | FS | Dallara | Honda | 200 | 1:51:15.7855 |
5 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | FS | Dallara | Honda | 200 | 1:51:18.7470 |
Power wins last ever Champ Car race
Meanwhile, Australian Will Power has scored a historic win in the last race of the Champ Car World Series in Long Beach, California.
Power started third in the 20-car line-up but ended up winning comfortably, leading for the majority of the race after sprinting into the lead off the grid.
Although the points awarded for the race went towards the IRL Indy Car Series, the drivers used Champ Car teams, drivers and equipment for one last race.