Danica finally scores a win

It had been 49 races and more than three agonizing years in the making for Danica Patrick. The 26-year-old finally notched her first win in the IndyCar Series and recorded the first victory by a woman in major open-wheel racing history.

People who follow motorsports have been waiting for this moment since she led with just a handful of laps at Indy in 2005. Even novice fans know her name and have been attracted to the IRL due to her success – and sometimes lack of it. As one of the most talented female drivers to step into an Indy car, much has been expected of her. Each race she went without a win led to more whispers about whether Patrick’s talent would go to waste.

She quieted that discussion Sunday at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan with the help of some excellent fuel-management. But that shouldn’t detract from her win. She clearly is one of the better drivers with one of the elite teams in the series.

However, there have been some bumps in the road for Patrick, who may be known better for her sex appeal than driving skills. A couple years ago, she pouted and stomped her feet following a pit stop debacle that ended her chances of winning. Later, she complained about Bobby Rahal’s cars and left his team following the 2006 season. All this despite the fact Rahal spotted her talent at a very young age and molded her into the driver she is today.

Despite some of the bumps, Patrick’s triumph obviously is a landmark victory for female drivers. It’s all the more fitting this weekend with a woman vying for the highest position in America.