1) Janet Guthrie (1 of 5)
1) Janet Guthrie (1 of 5)
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With the Indianapolis 500 approaching, we thought we’d give you a run down of the kick ass women who have competed in the race. Although it’s a male dominated sport, let’s not forget about the lone females of the bunch.
Guthrie, a native of Iowa, is now a retired race car driver, and the first woman to ever qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.
Originally an aerospace engineer after graduating from the University of Michigan, Guthrie didn’t start racing until later in life.
She qualified for and competed in the 1977 Indianapolis 500, but finished 29th with engine troubles.
Guthrie competed in two more Indy 500’s over the course of her professional racing career, and finished her best at ninth place.
In a time where males were dominating the industry, she surely made a point for many women to follow in her footsteps and create some gender controversy.