Women Racers: Inside Stories in the Fast Lane

The doors to the ''good ole boys'' club of auto racing have been broken down, and women drivers now have full membership privileges. But their triumphs wouldn't be possible without the groundbreaking efforts of their sisters in speed going back nearly 100 years. Cinderella drives her own coach now--very fast!

- Current media darling Danica Patrick became the first woman to lead the Indy field, and she is a regular guest on the David Letterman show

- Toronto-born Kay Petre dueled Gwenda Stewart for the Brooklands Ladies lap speed record at speeds topping out over 130 miles per hour

- Leilani Muller took on Nextel Cup champions Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth in a special late model race

- Shirley Muldowney, the legendary NHRA drag racing star, broke the gender barrier the day she beat Bob Edwards in the top fuel final in 1976

- In 2001, Jutta Kleinschmidt of Germany became the first woman to win the grueling 10,700-kilometer Paris–Dakar Rally

- Lyn St. James was the first woman to be awarded Indy 500 Rookie of the Year in 1992

- Iranian driver Laleh Seddigh is breaking down cultural barriers and leading the way for her countrywomen

- Ashley, Brittney and Courtney Force continue to tear up the tracks just like their famous father, John.

And many more daring women who love life in the fast lane…