On Feb. 24, 2013, Danica Patrick made NASCAR history as she led a lap in the Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat under full-speed conditions. Patrick was also the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole position.
Patrick, who ran in the top 10 for the majority of the race, said, “Only 13 people, including me, have led Daytona and Indy. That’s a cool stat for me.” The 2013 Daytona 500 was just her second appearance in “The Great American Race,” where she led three times for five laps, the latest on Lap 129.
Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon Lead the Field to the Green Flag
Although it was Patrick who led the field of 43 to the start, it was Jeff Gordon who sat on the inside lane and passed her to lead the first lap. Patrick took the opportunity to settle into the second spot behind Gordon’s Chevrolet.
However, in the early stages of the race, a piece of debris had latched onto the grill opening of Gordon’s car, causing his engine to overheat. He went on to lead the field for 31 laps but managed only a 20th-place finish after he faced engine overheating issues.
On this date [February 24] in 2013: Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon led the field to the green flag to start the #Daytona500. Gordon led 31 laps but finished 20th in a race won by Jimmie Johnson. Patrick's 8th place finish was her career best in the #NASCAR Cup series. pic.twitter.com/gd9cmyc7ye
— Jeff Gordon Online (@JGinfo) February 24, 2025
Five-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who went on to win the Daytona 500 that day, talked about Patrick’s performance, saying, “At these speeds, she’s very comfortable. She held a great wheel. She was smooth and predictable. She was able to take advantage of the runs when she had them.”
He added, “She was just a car on the track. I didn’t think about it being Danica. She was just another car on the track that was fast.”
Patrick finished in eighth place, which was her career best in the NASCAR Cup series.
“I know I’ll be better next time,” promised Patrick. Her performance and skills caught the attention of her peers. The race runner-up, Dale Earnhardt Jr, said, “She’s going to be making history all year long. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch her progress. I enjoy racing with her.”
Patrick walked away from the racetrack in 2018 and is now a successful entrepreneur. She is also a commentator for Sky Sports F1 broadcast team.
