The Ladies Of Daytona: How Did They Fare?

Six women started the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on Saturday, February 6th.  How did these pioneers fare at the "World Center of Speed?"

Danica Patrick - the sweetheart of the IndyCar series made her stock car racing debut during the race.  Was it good enough to get the JR Motorsports ride for the Nationwide Series event next weekend?  That announcement will come Monday, but her come-from-the-back sixth-place finish in the wreck-filled race - during which she even went sliding through the infield will help from former F1 star Nelson Piquet Jr. - proved she could handle the heavier cars.

Alli Owens - when Owens got to the front - staggered pit stops put her in third at the midway point - she ran a clean race, easily the most comfortable of the women.  Her run at the front ended with 10 laps to go, when she was the victim of a slingshot move; she would later spin out, possibly due to fluid on the track, with two to go, finishing 23rd.

Jennifer Jo Cobb - Cobb kept her nose clean and finished 17th in the race, the most improved driver on their starting position by 25 places (she started 42nd).

Jill George - George's hard contact with the wall on lap 25 caused a 20-minute-plus red flag delay while workers repaired the fence.  George was running a respectable race to that point, missing the early-race "big one."

Milka Duno and Leilani Munter - both drivers were involved in the "big one" on lap 6, so little can be said about their efforts.

The race was won by veteran Bobby Gerhart, who picked up the sixth Daytona victory of his career.  Rounding out the top five were Mark Thompson, John Wes Townley, pole sitter James Buescher, and Patrick Sheltra.