The Miss Harris’ Florida School for Girls alumni, Janet Guthrie broke many barriers not just on the racing track, but off of it as well. Having flown her first plane at the age of 13, Janet earned her pilot’s license at the age of 17 and went on to complete a degree in Physics at the University of Michigan in 1960.
Working as an aviation engineer, and clearing the first round of eliminations for NASA’s Scientist-Astronaut program was clearly not enough for Janet, who turned to racing full time in 1963. She competed in Sports Car Club of America races for 13 years and also participated in many international endurance races, including Sebring 12-Hour, where she came first in class, twice, and also the Daytona 24-Hour and Watkins Glen 500. At Sebring as well as Daytona, Janet’s team mates were women.
| Born | 7 Mar 1938 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
Janet tried out for the 1976 Indianapolis 500, but failed, but in the same year she became the first woman to qualify and compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup event. With many SCCA wins under her belt, Janet finished in the 15th place in the Charlotte 600, where she drove a Chevy for Lynda Ferreri, First Union National Bank Vice President, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, as it was known then.
Once again Janet made history, when in the 1977 season, she became the first woman to clinch a starting spot for the Daytona 500. Even though she maintained her eight position till about 10 laps from the end, engine trouble caused her to finish 12th, but she was still the topmost rookie of the race. The same year, she tried out for the Indy 500 once again, and was successful, becoming once again, the first woman, this time to compete in the Indy 500. She did not complete the race however, as her car experienced mechanical problems.
In the 1978 season though, Janet finished an impressive ninth at the Indy 500, driving for a team that she had formed herself. Janet had 11 starts in Indy-car events, and went on to earn more than $84,000. In the 1979 Milwaukee 200, Janet earned her career best, fifth place at the race.
Though slow in the beginning, Janet received immense pride in being accepted by drivers on the Indy-car and NASCAR circuits. Despite lack of sponsorships, Janet kept racing and even finished sixth at the Bristol in 1977. In 1980 Janet Guthrie received high honors by being inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, proving that not only was she an immensely talented driver, but that she was also a credit to her sport.
