Danica Patrick isn’t the only woman generating buzz at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May.
Brazil’s Ana Beatriz and Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro will join veterans Sarah Fisher, Milka Duno and Patrick at Saturday’s qualifying. That’s a potential for five women in the field, a far cry from the 1970s and ‘80s, when Janet Guthrie was the lone female figure in the sport.
"I think it's more open because Danica has been here a couple of years now," said de Silvestro in USA Today. "I'm sure it will change everywhere else if girls can be competitive."
De Silvestro and Beatriz successfully completed the rookie orientation on Monday, but don’t expect either to compete for a high finish.
ESPN.com columnist John Orevicz labeled de Silvestro a "field filler" and said Beatriz "could struggle to qualify."
But to quote Kevin Garnett, anything is possible.
