Which driver was the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race?

Danica Patrick was the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race. She made history at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.

Patrick drove for Andretti Green Racing and moved into the lead with three laps remaining after the leading cars needed fuel stops. She conserved enough fuel and held on to win, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race. It was the only IndyCar Series victory of her career.

Her breakthrough followed an important 2005 Indianapolis 500 performance, when she became the first woman to lead laps in that race. She finished fourth as a rookie and earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors. Those achievements helped make her one of the most prominent figures in American open-wheel racing.

A common mix-up is Sarah Fisher, who was the second woman to win an IndyCar pole position, not the first race winner. Patrick later moved to NASCAR, where she became the first woman to win a Cup Series pole for the Daytona 500.