MOTEGI, Japan – Danica Patrick made auto-racing history halfway around the world on April 20, 2008, when she became the first female driver to win a major oval-track race.

The milestone moment came when Patrick capitalized on fuel strategy to win the Indy Japan 300 at Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi. Her first Indy Racing League victory came in her 50th series start.

“It’s been a long time coming, finally,” Patrick said as she fought back tears of joy in victory lane.

“I knew the last stint was going to be important and it was going to be close on fuel, but we gave ourselves the best opportunity possible,” she said. “After that, it was all about saving fuel. Helio Castroneves and Ed Carpenter were on the same strategy I was on. I kicked it up a notch and got by him (Castroneves). It probably would have happened whether I pushed or not. It was very nice to drive by him.

“It wasn’t until I drove by him and saw the No. 7 (Patrick’s car number) on the top of the pylon that I knew I was in the lead.”

Stretching her last load of fuel for the final 51 laps, Patrick conserved fuel early in her run in order to have the speed when she needed it the most – at the end of the race.

So one by one as the leaders pitted for the final time, Patrick moved up in the running order. With Castroneves in the lead, the Penske team decided to try to make to the finish rather than pitting. But in order to do that, Castroneves needed to slow considerably.

It was just the opportunity Patrick and her Andretti-Green Racing team manager, Kyle Moyer, had waited for, and she roared into the lead with two laps remaining.

“I’m so happy for her and so proud for her,” said team owner Michael Andretti. “It’s always been a question of when, not if, she was gong to win. I love this girl. I’m so happy for her that the monkey is off her back. You’ll see, there is more to come.”

In his April 23 Editor’s Notebook, Chris Economaki wrote, “A big round of applause for Danica Patrick and her well-deserved, but surprising IRL victory in the Indy Japan 300. Little did anyone foresee such an outcome, for with 10 laps remaining at Twin Ring Motegi, Danica was back in seventh position.

“Her victory should be a big boost for Indy 500 ticket sales.”