It’s a Big Day for Patrick: She Wins First IRL Pole

Danica Patrick has another first on her short Indy Racing League resume.

The 23-year-old rookie won her first Indy Racing Series pole Saturday at Kansas Speedway, becoming the second woman to take the top spot.

Patrick, the first woman to lead a lap at the Indianapolis 500, turned in a quick lap of 214.668 mph on her second try around the 1 1/2 -mile tri-oval in qualifying for today’s Argent Mortgage Indy 300.

Sarah Fisher was the first female pole-sitter, starting first at a race in 2002 in Kentucky.

With two Rahal Letterman teammates qualifying second and third, Patrick’s chances of earning her first IRL victory are even better.

“It’s very satisfying,” said Patrick, who edged Buddy Rice for the pole. “I’m very proud of how hard this team has worked, how hard I’ve worked. I’m just proud of the whole situation for this team.”

Patrick, making the eighth start of her career, was fastest in her morning practice session too. Her pole-winning time drew a big cheer from the capacity crowd waiting for the start of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

“This is not untouched territory,” Patrick said. “What’s going to make the difference is going out tomorrow and staying up there and competing with my teammates who did such a great job last year.”

In May, Patrick finished fourth at the Indianapolis 500, the best finish by a woman in the 89-year history of the race, and her second fourth in the IRL series.

“I know a lot of this started because I’m a chick in a race car,” Patrick said. “Now it’s turning into, ‘Look what this rookie can do.’ ”

Rice, who won last year’s race, will start on the outside of the front row after qualifying at 214.65 mph. Vitor Meira was third at 214.548 mph.