Comprehensive information and links about Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie (born March 7, 1938 in Iowa City, IowaJanet Guthrie is a race car driver and the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.

Guthrie was originally an aerospace engineer and after graduating from the University of Michigan, she worked with Republic Aviation. She began racing in 1963 on the SCCA circuit in a Jaguar XK 140 and by 1972, she was racing on a full-time basis.

In 1976, Guthrie got her first big break in racing, being invited to drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for team owner Rolla Vollstedt, but failed to qualify. The same year, she was invited to compete in NASCAR as well. She competed in the 1976 World 600, finishing 15th, becoming the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup superspeedway race. Guthrie would go on to compete in four more races that season. The following season, she competed in her first Daytona 500, finishing 12th when her car's engine blew two cylinders with ten laps to go. For the race, though, she still earned the honor of Top Rookie. Overall, Guthrie went on to compete in 33 races in NASCAR over four seasons, finishing as high as sixth place.

In 1977, Guthrie qualified for and competed in the Indianapolis 500, but finished 29th with engine troubles. She would compete in two more Indy 500s, finishing as high as ninth in 1978. Overall, she competed in 11 IndyCar events finishing as high as fifth.

Nevertheless, Guthrie's place in history was secure. Her helmet and race suit can be found in the Smithsonian Institution and Guthrie was one of the first elected to the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. She will be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in April, 2006. Her 2005 autobiography, "Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle," has received critical praise in such publications as Sports Illustrated.