After becoming the first woman winner in the Firestone Indy Lights Series last Saturday, Ana Beatriz, 23, made only 10 series starts before winning at Nashville Superspeedway in IRL IndyCar’s feeder series.
Because Danica Patrick became the first female IndyCar winner earlier this year, everyone wanted to know: could Brazil’s Beatriz be the next Patrick?
“Everybody is making that comparison,” says Beatriz, who uses her Brazilian name, Bia, as a nickname. “But I always say that I’m always going to be Bia. I’m never going to be Danica. … I hope there is a place for a Bia now.”
Chances are good for Beatriz, who sits third in Indy Lights points and has six top-five finishes this year. Five women have raced in Indy Lights since it’s 2002 inception, while three women, including Patrick, compete in IndyCar.
Beatriz, winner of three “Golden Helmet” awards (considered one of the highest honors in Brazilian racing), hopes she drives other women to racing.
“I think sometimes girls think that they can’t do it,” Beatriz says. “That racing is just for men. … And when they see a driver like Danica winning races and doing well, then the girls realize they can.”
“I had bad days on ovals and I crashed,” Beatriz says. “It’s hard work but I’m really satisfied now that we could do it.”
Beatriz says her main priority now is to move up to IndyCar. Patrick may soon have company, because Beatriz is not the only one with that goal.
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