Women drive success on the track with Chevrolet SS

Chevrolet kicked-off Speedweeks with outstanding performances from Team Chevy race teams and the all-new Chevrolet SS race car. Seven of the top nine starters for the Daytona 500 will be Chevrolet SS race cars. On the track and behind the scenes, women passionate about
cars and racing are key in driving this success.

Danica Patrick has made history behind the wheel of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet SS by being the first female to win the pole for the 55th running of The Great American Race.

"We are so proud of Danica Patrick and her team for putting the No. 10 Chevrolet SS on the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500," said Jim Campbell, US Vice-President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "Danica was focused and drove a great line to secure the pole. She gave tremendous credit to crew chief Tony Gibson and her entire No. 10 team for preparing such a fast and well-balanced car. Danica is an accomplished racer, determined, and a team player. We are very proud to have her on Team Chevy."


"Danica and her team have put in countless hours testing, evaluating and helping finalise the development of this new Chevrolet SS. Her determination both on and off the track helped put her on the pole for this race."

Patrick's accomplishment marks the first time in the 64-year history of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series that a woman will lead the field to the start of any race - let alone the Daytona 500. Patrick's lap of 45.817 seconds - 196.434 mph - was the fastest among all 45 qualifiers.

Off the track, Alba Colon, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has been pushing the limits as well. For the past two and a half years, she's helped develop what is seen on the track today. 

"On the track, the SS is really showcasing its performance power. We are seeing the hard work we put in the lab and pre-track testing come to life with all of our Chevy race teams," said Colon, Chevrolet Motorsports Engineer. "To see the car's winning ability and the great reaction from our fans has been outstanding."

"It takes perspectives like Alba Colon's to push our engineering development of race cars to the next level. Her leadership abilities and her passion for motorsports and performance really shine through on the SS race car," said Campbell.

Colon joined Chevrolet's motorsports program in 2001, and has an engineering degree from the University of Puerto Rico. It was during her university days that she developed a love of mechanical engineering and racing.

Posted in: 2014 Chevrolet SS,Alba Colon,Chevrolet,Danica Patrick,Daytona 500,GoDaddy.com,International,Jim Campbell,Motor Sports,NASCAR Sprint Cup,Team Chevy,The Great American Race