Danica Patrick became the first female winner in Indy Car history, taking the Indy Japan 300 race in her 50th start in the series.

The American covered 200 laps at the 1.52-mile Twin Ring Motegi in one hour 51 minutes 02.6739, beating Helio Castroneves of Brazil into second and Scott Dixon of New Zealand into third.

Castroneves timed 1:51:08.5333 and Dixon 1:51:12.7298 ahead of Dan Wheldon of Britain and Tony Kanaan of Brazil.

"Finally. This is a long time coming," the 26-year-old said afterwards. "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me.

"I know I was on the same strategy at Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it.

"My sex has got nothing to do with it. I believed in myself as a driver."

With six laps remaining, Dixon had a 3.6-second lead, but the leader had to enter the pits for fuel on lap 195. Then Wheldon and Kanaan had to follow suit on lap 196.

The delay left the door open for Patrick and Castroneves, whose last pit stop came on lap 148.

"I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing.

"I think this is the first of many. We have all believed in Danica and she proved today that she is a winner."

It was the third leg of the 16-round Indy Racing League series.

AFP / Reuters