How did you get into racing?
In 1998, while working as a Naval Engineer, I was invited by a friend to participate in a Porsche Driving Clinic. The rest, as they say - is history. Captivated by the precision and mechanics of motorsports, I instantly realized that racing stimulated my passion for challenge and competition. On this way I quickly discovered that I was meant to be a race car driver.

What is your greatest racing accomplishment so far?
In the year 2000, only my second year of racing, I scored a top podium finish in a Ferrari Challenge race at Road Atlanta in a Ferrari Challenge 355, becoming the first woman to ever win a Ferrari Challenge race in the United States and the second in the world. It continued to be a stellar year for me with an additional two podiums in the Ferrari Challenge. I made my debut in the prestigious American Le Mans Series, I competed in the ALMS in a Dodge Viper GTS and finished 3rd in my class in the series 2000 season finale in Australia.

In 2001, I was crowned Vice-Champion Driver in the LMP 675 Class of the American Le Mans Series. I became the only female driver running a regular schedule and I won four races, including the 1000 Miles of Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Also in 2001, I was competing in a Dodge Viper in the legendary Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing 6th in my class.

In 2002, I became the first woman in the history of sportscar racing to pilot the fastest and most technologically-advanced sportscar in the world – the Le Mans Prototype 900, and the first woman in history to pilot the fastest car in the Open Telefonica World Series – the last step on the ladder to Formula One.

Starting in 2004 and continuing through the 2006 season, I was the only full season female driver in the highest category of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series – the Daytona Prototype class. In 2004, my very first season in the series, I became the first woman in history to win a major international sportscar race in North America by capturing the overall win at the Grand Prix of Miami. I followed that victory with my 2nd overall win at the very same track seven months later. In 2005 I scored my third career Rolex Series win.

My Rolex Series achievements include three overall wins, seven podium appearances, ten top-five finishes and 26 top-ten finishes.

In my first race of the 2007 season, I scored a 2nd place finish in the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona – earning the highest finish ever by a female driver in the 45-year history of the race – and also the highest finish ever by a female driver in a major race at the famed Daytona circuit.

Following this incredible start to my 2007 season - I embarked upon a new challenge: to compete at arguably the world’s most famous race: The Indianapolis 500. Piloting the No.23 CITGO Racing Honda Dallara, I became the first Latina to qualify and race in the Indy 500, clocking an average qualifying speed of over 219 mph.  It was also the first time that three women competed in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

What are your 2008 racing plans?
I will race in the 24-Hour Races in Daytona.  For the remainder of 2008, I will race in the IndyCar Series.

Is it hard being a woman in motorsports, or do you feel accepted?
I feel like the other drivers, and they respect me.

Who is your racing/spots hero?
Michael Schumacher

What is you ultimate goal in racing?
My goal is to always have a new challenge.


By Linda Przygodski
Contributing Editor
AskPatty.com