Danica Patrick has won the 2013 Daytona 500 pole position. In doing so, Patrick is the first woman in NASCAR history to do so at Daytona or any other Sprint Cup race. According to a report from Sunday (Feb. 17), Patrick posted a time of 45.817 seconds during her time on the track and averaged 196.434 mph.
How fast Patrick was in qualifying can be measured by how many other racers surpassed the 196 mph mark. There was only one, as Jeff Gordon posted the second best time in the qualifying to sit beside her on that front line.
Team owner and teammate Tony Stewart spoke about Patrick's qualifying, stating that, "We say it's not really us, but she's got to do her part, too. She did a really good job. I'm proud of all of us."
Before Danica Patrick won the 2013 Daytona 500 pole position, the best qualifying spot a female driver has had in a Cup race was only ninth place. That took place way back in 1977 when Janet Guthrie was able to place ninth at both Bristol and Talladega.
Now Patrick can relax a bit before the race takes place on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 pm ET. As it is the first race of the 2013 NASCAR schedule, it is an important one for all the drivers that want to take an early lead in the point standings.
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