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Woman to Woman: Alexandra Straub Interviews Rising Open-Wheel Star Danica Patrick

She is Woman. Hear her engine Roar

Paul Tracy, Sebastian Bourdais, Bruno Junqueira, and Michel Jourdain Jr. are all household names when it comes to North American open-wheel motorsport fans. If Danica Patrick isnt already a household name, it will be very soon.

The name may sound familiar because you might have seen her hosting Spike TVs Zero to 60, or posing in various magazines such as FHM, or most notably, you may have seen her racing on the track in the Toyota Atlantic Championship series, a feeder series to Champ Car. Although the 22-year-old

At 22-years-old, Danica Patrick is well on her way to becoming a household name to fans of North American open-wheel motorsport. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

racing phenomenon is renowned for good looks and commercial appeal, first and foremost, shes an extremely talented driver and has the credentials to prove it.

Racing since

Aside from appearing in FHM and hosting a show on Spike TV, Danica has racked up some serious racing credentials in a relaively short time. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

the age of 10, Danica has established herself as a consistent competitor who has set a few records along the way. In 2000, she finished second at the Formula Ford Festival in England, which was the highest ever result for an American driver. In 2001 she won the Gorsline Scholarship

Patrick became the first woman to place on the podium in the 30-year history of the Atlantic series with her third place finish in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Award for the top upcoming road racing driver, and was recognized as the top female open-wheel driver with international experience. 2002 was a memorable year as Patrick signed a multi-year driving contract with Team Rahal (owned by motorsport legend Bobby Rahal and TV personality David Letterman) and was deemed the teams driver for the 2003 Toyota

While a fierce competitor on the track, Danica is down-to-earth, humorous and a generally amiable person off the track. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Atlantic entry. Prior to starting the season she captured the pole position for the 2002 Long Beach Grand Prix Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race and won the pro division, surpassing former Trans Am champion and TV host Tommy Kendall as well as experienced IRL driver Sarah Fisher.

More recently, Patrick became the first woman to place on the podium (top three) in the 30-year history of the Atlantic series with her third place finish

(Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

in Monterrey, Mexico. Now Patrick has returned for her second year with Team Rahal to compete in the Toyota Atlantic Championship. Patrick still pilots the Argent Mortgage Company Toyota/Swift, but now she is joined by 18-year-old Rahal teammate Christ Festa.

Becoming a Toyota Atlantic champion and then continuing on to compete in a higher level open-wheel series such as Champ Car or the Indy Racing League (IRL), requires the same level of determination that has made her competitive in Atlantics. Success requires focus, talent and a whole lot of heart; all of

(Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

which Danica has.

I recently caught up to the rising-star at the Molson Indy Vancouver after 1st round qualification on Friday where she placed third, and asked her a few questions. She is a fierce competitor on the track but a down-to-earth, humorous and generally amiable person off the track.

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