After showing so much promise in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, this weekend in the Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan, Danica Patrick made history by becoming the first female to win a world class, closed course automobile race. With five laps remaining in the Japanese IndyCar race, Scott Dixon, who had dominated the race, was forced to roll down pit lane for a splash and go fuel stop. Seeing this, second and third place drivers Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan, did the same. Helio Castroneves inherited the lead, but on lap number 198 was running on fumes and that’s exactly when Patrick struck, taking the lead, and two laps later, the win.

“I feel like such a wuss for crying,” Patrick said immediately after the race. “But it’s been a long time coming. I‘ve worked so hard for this. We‘ve worked so hard for this. Thank God. When I actually had to talk on my radio, finally the emotion came out. I really couldn’t manage any other words than ‘thank you.‘ And then I was as relieved, as I expected I would be years ago, how I knew I would feel when I won my first race. But I guess over time that feeling has only gotten bigger, and over time I’ve been asked so many times when I’m going to win my first race. Finally, no more of those questions.”

Helio Castroneves, who knew he couldn’t fight the American, was gracious in defeat. “She passed me fair and square,” Castroneves said. “I didn’t have enough fuel even if I wanted to fight with her, and today I guess it’s part of history again.”

Understandably, team owner Michael Andretti was absolutely thrilled with not only his driver’s win, but the historical significance if it all: “Danica is such a fantastic person, and I’m thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back,” Andretti said. “We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many.”

Added T.J. Patrick, Danica’s father: “This is the best day of my life,“ T.J. Patrick said. “I’ve dreamt about it. I’m just so proud of her. She gets a lot of grief for it, but she just proved to everyone that she can win. There’s a lot more to come.”

Helio Castroneves wound up holding down second and now leads the 2008 IndyCar points chase by 12 points over Scott Dixon.