She grew up in Roscoe, Illinois and attended Hononegah Community High School. At the 2000 Formula Ford Festival in England, she finished in second place, the best result any American driver ever earned in the race. In 2005 became the fourth woman (following Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James and Sarah Fisher) to drive in the Indianapolis 500 auto race. She finished in 4th place, the best ever result for a female driver. May 29, 2005 - First female ever to lead in the Indy 500 At 16, went to England to learn how to race.2005 Indy Racing League Rookie of the Year.In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year to be $5 million.