Shawna Robinson Becomes First Woman to Win a NASCAR Race

Shawna Robinson, a 23-year-old stock car driver from Des Moines, Iowa, Friday became the first woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race, officials said.

Robinson, driving a Pontiac Sunbird, started 13th of 17 drivers in the 100-lap Charlotte Daytona Dash at New Asheville Speedway, NASCAR spokesman Andy Hall said.

“She took the lead only seven laps from the finish and slowly worked her way up in the field,” he said.

NASCAR, which began sponsoring races in 1947, sanctions more than 2,000 races a year, according to Hall.