Danica Patrick Makes IndyCar History with Win

Danica Patrick AirTran Boeing 717-200

Sponsor jumps on bandwagon

By Brian Potter
April 22, 2008 12:56 AM
Filed Under: American, Motorsport

Danica Patrick, 26, in her #7 Motorola car, became the first female winner of an IndyCar race yesterday by winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 race in Montegi, Japan. Due to forced fuel stops by the front runners, Patrick took the lead with only five laps remaining.

Patrick has been racing IndyCar for four seasons. Her previous brush with greatness came at the 2005 Indy 500 when she narrowly missed pole position and became the first female driver to lead the race ultimately finishing fourth. As a result, Patrick won rookie of the year award.

Meanwhile, one of Patrick's sponsors, AirTran, is taking advantage of the following media frenzy by preparing overnight a commemorative aircraft livery with Danica's larger than life photo along the fuselage of the Boeing 717-200 aircraft. Dubbed “AirTranica” by air traffic controllers, the airline has announced flight schedules, so people with nothing better to do can possibly get a glance of Danica's smile flying above.

Source: Associated Press

Press Release (Click to expand)

Where is the AirTran Airways 'AirTranica Won' Plane Featuring Danica Patrick?

The Answer is In the Sky

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., today announced that fans across the country can track the AirTran Airways Boeing 717 commemorative aircraft that feature's Danica Patrick's image. "Due to the overwhelming response we have received since we announced our plane to honor Danica's win with commemorative aircraft livery, we wanted to announce today's flight information so people can see the plane," said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways' vice president of sales and marketing.

Patrick established herself as a force to be reckoned with as she became the first female in the IndyCar Series to claim a checkered flag during Sunday's Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 race in Motegi, Japan.