Danica Patrick earns first IndyCar win

A very emotional Danica Patrick was greeted by family, team members and teammates as she exited her car in Victory Lane on Saturday night. After 49 career Indy Racing League starts, Patrick earned her first win, in the Indy Japan 300 at the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval. Helio Castroneves finished second and Scott Dixon was third.
Patrick, 26, inherited the lead on the 198th lap of the 200-circuit race when the leaders pitted for fuel. She finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Castroneves.
“It's a long time coming. Finally,” Patrick told The Associated Press. “It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous.”
A replay of the race will be shown Sunday at 10 a.m. on ESPN2.

-- Michele Vincze

Photo: The Associated Press