2013
Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win pole award
A disclaimer is needed here as Danica Patrick was not the first woman to compete in the premier national series, nor was she the first to cap off a crowning achievement. After all, in 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to compete in the Daytona 500, where she eventually finished 12th. However, the Roscoe, Illinois, native – and IndyCar standout – did best Guthrie in one category. Whereas Guthrie qualified for the Daytona 500 in 39th, Patrick won the Busch Pole Award, becoming the first female to win a pole in NASCAR premier series history.