Women in Racing- Indy 500 Style!

Here is a timeline of women drivers contending at the Indianapolis 500.

May 1971 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time allows women in the pits and garage area.

February 1976–Arlene Hiss, the first woman granted a competition license by the U.S. Auto Club, is the first woman to drive in an Indy-car race, finishing 14th at Phoenix. She does not enter the Indy 500.

March 1976–Janet Guthrie is the first woman to enter the Indy 500.

April 1976–Guthrie is granted a USAC license.

May 1976–Guthrie is the first woman to practice at Indianapolis and the first to pass the Indy rookie test, but does not make a qualification attempt.

May 1977 – Guthrie becomes the first woman to qualify for the Indy 500. She starts 26th and finishes 29th. To begin that race, Tony Hulman gives the command: "In company with the first woman ever to qualify at Indianapolis, gentlemen, start your engines."

October 1977– Mary Fendrich Hulman becomes board chairman of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after the death of her husband, Tony Hulman.

May 1978 –Mary Fendrich Hulman first gives "Lady and gentlemen, start your engines" command. Guthrie drives in her second Indy 500, starting 15th and finishing ninth.

May 1979– Guthrie drives in her third and last Indy 500, starting 14th and finishing 34th.

May 1982– Desire Wilson is the second woman to enter the Indy 500 and the second to pass the rookie test. She makes one unsuccessful attempt to qualify, but sets a then-record speed for a woman driver at Indy of 191.042 mph.