Indy 500: The Women of the Indianapolis 500

The countdown has begun.  In less than two weeks, the Indianapolis 500 will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary. 

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing centennial celebration will have numerous drivers competing for top prizes and title of the World's Best Driver.

Often touted as one of the gentlemen's sports, the Indy 500 has had a strict set of rules that must be adhered to if one is to race. 

One of those rules included not allowing women to drive in the Indianapolis 500 nor be allowed in the pit crew areas. 

However, after 1971 the Indy 500 lifted the rule and allowed women to partake in this covenanted event. 

It took until 1977 before the first woman would race the Indianapolis 500.  This year, four women will contend in this elite field.

Here are the women who have shaped the history of racing at the Indy 500

Janet Guthrie

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Undated: NASCAR driver Janet Guthrie.

JANET GUTHRIE

First woman to start in Indianapolis 500

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 17, 1976

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 3 (1977-79)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 14th

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 9th

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $58,792

Desire Wilson

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1980: Portrait of Williams Ford driver DesirT Wilson. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

DESIRE' WILSON

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 11, 1982

Failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500

Lyn St. James

David Taylor/Getty Images

15 May 1998: Lynn St. James stares from her helmet during the 82nd Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport

LYNN St. JAMES

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 2, 1992

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 7 (1992-97, 2000)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 6th

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 11th

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $1,175,974

Sarah Fisher

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 25: Indy 500 driver Sarah Fisher attends the Macy's and IZOD's celebration of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 at Macy's Herald Square on May 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

SARAH FISHER

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: April 11, 2000

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 9 (2000-04, 2007-10)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 9th in 2002

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 17th in 2009

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $2,065,325

Danica Patrick

Nick Laham/Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, AL - MARCH 13: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Andretti Motorsport Team GoDaddy.com Dallara Honda poses during the IRL Indy Car Series Media Day at Barber Motorsports Park on March 13, 2011 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty

DANICA PATRICK

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 8, 2005

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 6 (2005-10)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 4th in 2005

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 3rd in 2009

Career Indianapolis 500 laps led: 19th

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $2,335,690

First woman to lead a lap in Indianapolis 500

Milka Duno

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 26: Milka Duno of Venezuela, driver of the #18 CITGO Dale Coyne Racing Dallara Honda, prepares to drive before practice for the IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 26, 2010 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Pho

MILKA DUNO

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 6, 2007

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 3 (2007-09)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 27th in 2008

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 19th in 2008

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $815,675

Ana Beatriz

Doug Benc/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 12: Ana Beatriz of Brazil driver of the #20 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara Indy Light celebrates after winning the Firestone Indy Lights Sunbelt Rentals 100 on July 12, 2008 at the Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, Tennessee. (

ANA BEATRIZ

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 16, 2010

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 1 (2010)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 21st in 2010

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 21st in 2010

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $250,305

Simona De Silvestro

Nick Laham/Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, AL - MARCH 13: Simona De Silvestro of Switzerland, driver of the #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy HVM Racing Dallara Honda poses during the IRL Indy Car Series Media Day at Barber Motorsports Park on March 13, 2011 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo

SIMONA De SILVESTRO

Passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test: May 16, 2010

Career Indianapolis 500 starts: 1 (2010)

Best career Indianapolis 500 start: 22nd in 2010

Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 14th in 2010

Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $327,055

Records:

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

MOTEGI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 19: A view of the trophy during the IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 on September 19, 2010 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

 Fastest one-lap qualification lap:  229.675 mph—Sarah Fisher (2002)

Fastest four-lap qualification average:  229.439 mph—Sarah Fisher (2002)

Highest starting position:  4th—Danica Patrick (2005)

Highest finishing position:  3rd—Danica Patrick (2005)

Most laps completed, single race: 200—Danica Patrick (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010); Sarah Fisher (2009)

Most laps completed, career: 1,137—Danica Patrick (2005-2010)

Most laps led, single race: 19—Danica Patrick (2005)

Most laps led, career: 19—Danica Patrick (2005)

Most races running at finish:  5—Danica Patrick (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)

Most earnings, single race: $763,305—Danica Patrick (2009)