
BACK TO GALLERIES
Janet Guthrie through the years
By Staff report | Published: 7 Mar, 2022 10
ISC Archives via Getty Images
1 of 10

ISC Archives via Getty Images
Today, Janet Guthrie turns 84. Take a look at some of the most memorable moments of her historic, influential NASCAR career.
2 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
Janet Guthrie drove the No. 68 Lynda Ferreri Kelly Girl Chevrolet on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit from 1976 to 1978 for a total of 31 races. She notched five top-10 finishes.
3 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1976: Janet Guthrie started in her first NASCAR Cup Series event, placing 15th in the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In doing so, she became the first woman to start and finish a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway event.
4 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1976: The historic all-female driving team of (L-R) Janet Guthrie, Suzy Dietrich and Donna Mae Mims pose with their trophy at the conclusion of the 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.
5 of 10

ISC Archives via Getty Images
1977: Janet Guthrie became the first woman to ever start in the Daytona 500. She raced her way to a 12th-place finish, besting Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and David Pearson among others.
6 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1977: Grand Marshal Lee Petty poses with Janet Guthrie, Lella Lombardi, and Christine Beckers after the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the second Daytona race of the season. This marked the first time since 1949 that three women competed in the same event.
7 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1980: Janet Guthrie became the first woman to hold a major corporate sponsorship in domestic oval racing by partnering with Texaco Star.
8 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1980: In her second and final appearance in the Daytona 500, Janet Guthrie finished 11th, driving for Rod Osterlund in the Texaco Star Chevrolet.
9 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1980: The final event of her historic barrier-breaking NASCAR Cup Series racing career came at Pocono Raceway in the Coca-Cola 500.
10 of 10

ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images
1980: Upon her retirement from NASCAR in 1980, after four seasons at the sport's highest level, Janet Guthrie was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.