Danica Patrick has found more than the success that eluded Janet Guthrie in her brief NASCAR stint. Patrick also has the acceptance in the garage that Guthrie never did. Guthrie struggled in an era when women were still viewed in stock car racing as unwanted outsiders. Guthrie, the first woman to race in NASCARs Coca-Cola 600 in 1976, received an icy reception from the sports biggest drivers as she tried to build her career. It was in stark contrast to the scene on pit road moments after Patrick clinched her Daytona 500 pole – with a hug from Tony Stewart and a handshake from Jeff Gordon Guthrie congratulated Patrick on Sunday for becoming the first woman to win the top spot for any race in NASCARs top circuit. But Guthrie was more proud of the way NASCARs attitude toward women has evolved over the last 30 years. Guthrie was heartened at seeing a women succeed in a mans world. ‘It took time for that attitude to change, but it did change’ Guthrie told The Associated Press by phone Sunday. ‘That was one of my biggest pleasures was seeing that attitude change.” Guthrie was the previous best female qualifier in a Cup race. She started ninth at Bristol and Talladega in 1977. She was the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500 in 1977, that same year she became the first to run in the Daytona 500. A ninth-place finish at Indy in 1978 stood as the best by a woman until Patrick finished fourth in 2005, then third in 2009. ‘Im ancient history’ Guthrie said, from Colorado. ‘Its about time my little record got broken.”(see full article at the Associated Press )
