Which driver was the first woman to lead laps during the Indianapolis 500?

Danica Patrick was the first woman to lead laps during the Indianapolis 500. She achieved the milestone in the 2005 race, her Indianapolis 500 debut, when she inherited the lead during green-flag pit stops on lap 56.

Patrick led three separate times for 19 laps in total. Her performance was especially notable because she started fourth, then the best starting position ever achieved by a female Indianapolis 500 driver. She also became the first woman to win the race’s Rookie of the Year award.

Patrick did not win the 2005 event. Dan Wheldon took victory, while Patrick finished fourth after running near the front and surviving a late-race incident. Her result nevertheless broke Janet Guthrie’s previous female finishing record of ninth, set in 1978.

A common mix-up is confusing this achievement with Patrick’s 2008 IndyCar victory at Twin Ring Motegi, which made her the first woman to win an IndyCar race. Leading laps at Indianapolis and winning an IndyCar event were separate milestones.