Pippa Mann dominates at Kentucky to become 2nd woman to win IndyLights race

Mann becomes 2nd woman to win Indy Lights race

SPARTA, Ky. — Pippa Mann became the second female driver to win an Indy Lights race, dominating the 100-mile event at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday night.

Mann started from the pole and led all 67 laps to pick up her first career win, beating James Hinchcliffe by 6.83 seconds. Series points leader J.K. Vernay was third.

The 27-year-old driver from England joins Ana Beatriz as the only female drivers to win in IndyCar’s main development series. Beatriz won at Iowa and Nashville in 2009.

“I joked yesterday that I hoped to run away and hide (but) I didn’t think that was going to happen,” Mann said. “I just got my legs underneath me and started running and started pedaling and I guess nobody could catch me.”

Mann nearly won at Chicagoland last week but was nosed out at the finish by Hinchcliffe.

“I was really disappointed, but you know, Hinch beat me fair and square,” Mann said. “I was like ‘OK, I’m going to come back and I’m going to beat you.’”

Danica Patrick is the only female driver to win an IndyCar race, taking the checkered flag at Motegi in 2008.