Danica Patrick has won the The Indy Japan 300 race and has become the first female to win a major auto racing event on a closed-course circuit. I think it’s something that Danica deserves for all her hard work!

“Finally,” Patrick said through tears before a victory lap to compose her thoughts.�”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 as Helio [Castroneves], and when I passed him for the lead I couldn’t believe it. This is fabulous.”

“I’ve always said that I wouldn’t do this, but on my last lap I was kind of just excited,” said Patrick, 26. “And when I actually had to talk on my radio, finally the emotion came out. I really couldn’t manage any other words than ‘thank you.’ And then I was as relieved as I expected I would be years ago, how I knew I would feel when I won my first race.”

“I’ve been asked so many times when I’m going to win my first race, and finally, no more of those questions.”

Congratulations to Danica!!

Pictures from her 2008 Sports Illustrated photo shoot after the jump.

More pictures at SI.com.

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