Women in the Indianapolis 500

(L-R: Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher, Lyn St.James, Billie Jean King, Danica Patrick)

The first running of the Indianapolis 500, at the Brickyard circuit, happened in 1911. However, it remained a firmly male-only bastion until the 1970s. It was not until the start of the decade that women were permitted into the pitlane as journalists or team staff, partly due to the persistence of women journalists such as Denise McCluggage.

Although female drivers had made specially-sanctioned promotional appearances at the Brickyard as early as 1935, it was not until 1976 that they were allowed to participate in its blue riband event. Janet Guthrie was the first woman driver to pass her rookie test.

In more recent history, the Indianapolis 500 has been one of the few elite motorsport events routinely entered by multiple women racers. Simona de Silvestro was run by Paretta Motorsport in 2021; the team is owned by Beth Paretta and has a majority female crew. Paretta is the first female-run team to enter. 

Below is a list of all the appearances by female drivers in the Indy 500.

1976

Janet Guthrie (Coyote-Foyt) - DNQ

1977

Janet Guthrie (Lightning-Offenhauser) - 29th

1978

Janet Guthrie (Wildcat-DGS) - 9th

1979

Janet Guthrie (Lola-Cosworth) - 34th

1980

Janet Guthrie (Lightning-Cosworth) - DNQ

1982
Desiré Wilson (Eagle-Cosworth) - DNQ (withdrawn)

1983
Desiré Wilson (March 82C-Cosworth) - DNQ

1992

Lyn St. James (Lola-Chevrolet) - 11th

1993

Lyn St.James (Lola-Cosworth) - 25th

1994

Lyn St.James (Lola-Cosworth) - 19th

1995

Lyn St.James (Lola-Cosworth) - 32nd

1996

Lyn St.James (Lola-Cosworth) - 14th

1997

Lyn St. James (Dallara-Infiniti) - 13th

1998

Lyn St. James (G Force-Infiniti) - DNQ

1999

Lyn St. James (G Force-Oldsmobile) - DNQ

2000

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Oldsmobile) - 31st

Lyn St. James (G Force-Oldsmobile) - 32nd

2001

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Oldsmobile) - 31st

2002

Sarah Fisher (G Force-Infiniti) - 24th

2003

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Chevrolet) - 31st

2004

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Toyota) - 21st

2005

Danica Patrick (Panoz-Honda) - 4th

2006

Danica Patrick (Panoz-Honda) - 8th

2007

Danica Patrick (Dallara-Honda) - 8th

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Honda) - 18th

Milka Duno (Dallara-Honda) - 31st

2008

Milka Duno (Dallara-Honda) - 19th

Danica Patrick (Dallara-Honda) - 22nd

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Honda) - 30th

2009

Danica Patrick (Dallara-Honda) - 3rd

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Honda) - 17th

Milka Duno (Dallara-Honda) - 20th

2010

Danica Patrick (Dallara-Honda) - 6th

Simona de Silvestro (Dallara-Honda) - 14th

Ana Beatriz (Dallara-Honda) - 21st

Sarah Fisher (Dallara-Honda) - 26th

Milka Duno (Dallara-Honda) - DNQ

2011
Danica Patrick - 10th
Pippa Mann - 20th
Ana Beatriz - 21st
Simona de Silvestro - DNF
(all Dallara-Honda)

2012
Katherine Legge (Dallara-Chevrolet) - 22nd
Ana Beatriz (Dallara-Chevrolet) - 23rd
Simona de Silvestro (Dallara-Lotus) - DNF

2013
Ana Beatriz (Honda) - 15th
Simona de Silvestro (Chevrolet) - 17th
Katherine Legge (Honda) - 26th
Pippa Mann (Honda) - 30th/DNF

2014
Pippa Mann (Dallara) - 24th

2015
Simona de Silvestro (Honda) - 19th
Pippa Mann (Honda) - 22nd

2016
Pippa Mann (Honda) - 18th

2017
Pippa Mann (Honda) - 17th

2018
Pippa Mann (Honda) - DNQ

2019
Pippa Mann (Chevrolet) - 16th

2021

Simona de Silvestro (Chevrolet) - DNF

2023

Katherine Legge (Honda) - DNF

2024

Katherine Legge (Honda) - DNF

(Image from www.motorsport.com)