For everyone that watched Danica run year after year with near wins and high hopes, your time has finally come. Helio Castroneves was forced to save fuel on the last five laps of the Indy Japan 300 and Danica pushed for the lead position. On lap 198 (of 200) she moved past Castroneves to take the white flag and hold on for the checkered. She shed tears of joy as she was greeted by her team and parents.

This is really a great milestone in open wheel racing and sets the bar for a number of other female drivers in both IRL and the many feeder series.

Photo Credit: Andretti Green Racing

Danica stated, "Finally! This is a long time coming. It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I know I was on the same strategy at Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

Congrats to Danica and her team!

Those that want to comment on the victory can email Danica (danicafans7@godaddy.com) or leave your comments at the bottom of this post or visit the IRL Talkback forum. Also, check out Danica's official website and Andretti Green Racing for more notes on the win.