When Janet Guthrie qualified for the 1977 Indianapolis 500, she proved that she was capable of the feat, yes. She also proved that, with the right experience and the right backing, any woman could ...

De Silvestro, the 2010 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, is not the first woman to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That was Janet Guthrie in 1977. Nor is Paretta (right) the first woman to own a team.