Danica Patrick: Racing to History

Children's Literature - Janis Flint-Ferguson

When twenty-three-year old Danica Patrick led the Indianapolis 500 in 2005, nobody was sitting in their seats. Those who followed auto racing knew of Bobby Rahal's support for the American female driver who had been successful in England's Formula racing series. There have been few women to qualify for the "greatest spectacle in racing" and none since Sarah Fisher have garnered the media attraction that Patrick did, and still does. Patrick finished fourth in that first 500 race, hampered by lack of fuel but buoying the open wheel series with interviews and photo spreads. This biography tells her story as she begins racing go-karts with her sister; young Brooke soon lost interest, but big sister was hooked. Her parents have supported her ambition, even allowing her to race open wheel in England with male European hopefuls. While the experience was hard, the opportunity brought her to the attention of race champion Bobby Rahal, who financed her return to the United States and her seat in the Indy Racing League. She has since moved into the Andretti-Green Racing Team and scored her first victory on the oval track at Motegi, Japan, in 2008. Still in the midst of her career, there are many fans, male and female, who would like to see her cross Indy's yard of bricks in first place. Those race fans will appreciate this novel, as will young readers with dreams of their own. Part of the "Heroes of Racing" series, the biography is a nonfiction resource for middle and high school libraries. Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson