Danica Patrick becomes first woman to lead NASCAR Nationwide Series lap

Washington: An American racing driver has become the first woman to lead a lap in the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at the Daytona International Speedway and was the highest female finisher in the famed Daytona 500 race.

Danica Patrick, who led five laps and finished eighth in the race, was in a position to make a run at winner Jimmie Johnson in the final lap, but dropped from the third position to the eight as more experienced drivers passed her. However, Patrick, who sailed without trouble in a 200 lap race, said that she is not disappointed by her lap as she still managed to stay among the top 10 racers the entire day. Patrick, who also made history as an IndyCar driver, had led 19 laps as a rookie in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, becoming the first woman to lead open-wheel racing`s premier event, the report added. ANI