20 Facts About Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie was born on March 7,1938 and is an American former racing driver.

Janet Guthrie is the first female to qualify and race in either the Indianapolis 500, or the Daytona 500, both of which she competed in during 1977.

Janet Guthrie had first attempted to enter the Indianapolis 500 in 1976 but failed to qualify.

Janet Guthrie raced in three Indianapolis 500s: 1977 through 1979.

Janet Guthrie is the first woman to lead a lap in NASCAR Cup Series competition.

Janet Guthrie got the 2024 NASCAR Landmark award on January 19,2024.

Janet Guthrie began racing in 1963 on the SCCA circuit in a Jaguar XK140 and by 1972, she was racing on a full-time basis.

Janet Guthrie's sportscar racing career included two class wins in the famed 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race.

Janet Guthrie would go on to compete in four more races that season.

Janet Guthrie would compete in two more Indianapolis 500s, finishing ninth in the 1978 race while driving with a fractured wrist she hid from race officials.

Janet Guthrie was unable to obtain funding through corporate sponsorship, and was forced into retirement.

Janet Guthrie was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on April 27,2006.

Janet Guthrie said she was unlikely to watch the 2020 race due to her disappointment.

In 2011, Janet Guthrie signed a petition in support of the right of women in Saudi Arabia to drive.

In 2019, Janet Guthrie was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Janet Guthrie's family moved to Miami, Florida when Janet was three years old after her father accepted a job with Eastern Air Lines.

Janet Guthrie herself earned her pilot's license at 17 years old.

Janet Guthrie married Warren Levine, a charter airline pilot, in 1989.

Janet Guthrie died on December 30,2006, of a sudden heart attack.

Janet Guthrie has been inducted into the following halls of fame:.