Janet Guthrie

Country:

Birth/Death:

Racing: Indy, Nascar

Hometown: Iowa, USA

Facts:

Career Highlights:

1976 First woman to compete in the Nascar Superspeedway race.

1977 First woman and Top Rookie at the Daytona 500.

1977 First woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

2006 Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Guthrie’s helmet and racing suit are in the Smithsonian.

Quote: This is what legendary racecar driver Mario Andretti had to say about Guthrie: “I think she has done a hell of a job. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. I’ve seen many guys who had much more trouble with Indy than she has had, from the standpoint of belonging on the course. Anyone who says she doesn’t belong, just feels threatened.”
- Mario Andretti
Washington Star, May 29, 1977

Read more about Guthrie in her book Life at Full Throttle.

Janet Guthrie’s website