Danica Patrick gets cheers as loud as those for Dale Earnhardt Jr. 
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights - She became the first woman to start a Sprint Cup race on the pole
- Jeff Gordon passes her on the first lap to take the lead
- She is enveloped by crowd on pit road
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Danica Patrick made history again Sunday.
She led a lap at the Daytona 500, not quite halfway through the 200-lap event.
Patrick, the first woman to ever win the pole for a Sprint Cup Series race, was surrounded by dozens of people as she climbed into her car amidst a wild scene.
She led the field of 43 to the start. Jeff Gordon, who sat on the inside lane, passed her to lead the first lap.
As drivers prepared for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, grand marshal James Franco gave an unusual command.
"Drivers -- and Danica -- start your engines!" he said.
This really is Danica Patrick's Daytona 500.
50 CENT: Rapper tries to kiss FOX's Erin Andrews
The morning started out much calmer, though. Drivers all have sponsor appearances and meetings to attend on the day of a race, but Patrick's first obligation wasn't until 9:20 a.m.
She made appearances on ESPN and SPEED, then met with two contest winners from sponsor Coke Zero and about 10 people from sponsor Go Daddy. All the activities took place are her motorhome, which meant she didn't have to hop on a golf cart and dash all over Daytona International Speedway's expansive property.
After meeting with crew chief Tony Gibson for approximately 30 minutes in the team's hauler, Patrick attended the drivers meeting (she sat next to boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a fellow rookie).
Then it was time for lunch and driver introductions. When she was introduced to the crowd, Patrick received as many cheers as Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has won a record 10 consecutive Most Popular Driver awards.
But then she suddenly got off schedule. The traditional parade lap around the track on the back of a truck took longer than expected, and Patrick didn't arrive at her car until the national anthem was about to play.
She hurriedly took a picture for the Coors pole award -- Miss Coors Light and Pete Coors had been waiting 20 minutes for her to arrive -- and then climbed into the car to start the race.
PHOTOS: DAYTONA 500 FESTIVITIES 
A general view of the crowd in the infield as the Zac Brown Band performs before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski takes his phone off the roof of his car before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jeff Gordon (left) and Danica Patrick (right) are introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Zac Brown Band performs before the Daytona 500. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Drivers pose on stage during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray lewis poses with the Harley J. Earl Trophy at a press conference before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. JD Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson poses with Jimmie Johnson (R), driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Markland, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, high-fives the crowd during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, greets NFL player Wes Welker prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500. Jerry Markland, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
A general view as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans sign the start/finish line before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood (left) presents Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band with a commemorative guitar before the Daytona 500. JD Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
A detailed view of the Harley J. Earl Trophy to be awarded to the winner of the 2013 Daytona 500 before the race at Daytona International Speedway. JD Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
A detailed view of a time capsule placed inside the start/finish line before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Feb 24, 2013; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Movie actor James Franco stands outside the media center after a press conference before the 2013 Daytona 500. JD Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans Tom Hensley (left) and Dave Hensley (middle) sit in front of a banner for the July NASCAR race before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Recording artists for the Zac Brown Band pose with the Harley J. Earl Trophy after a press conference before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. JD Mercer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fan Larry Tait poses for a picture as he sits on the start/finish line before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay 
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Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/02/24/daytona-500-2013-danica-patrick/1943125/
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports) DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Danica Patrick made history again Sunday. She led a lap at the Daytona 500, not quite halfway through the 200-lap event. Patrick, the first woman to ever win the pole for a Sprint Cup Series race, was surrounded by dozens of people as she climbed into her car amidst a wild scene. She led the field of 43 to the start. Jeff Gordon, who sat on the inside lane, passed her to lead the first lap. As drivers prepared for the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, grand marshal James Franco gave an unusual command. "Drivers -- and Danica -- start your engines!" he said. This really is Danica Patrick's Daytona 500. 50 CENT: Rapper tries to kiss FOX's Erin Andrews The morning started out much calmer, though. Drivers all have sponsor appearances and meetings to attend on the day of a race, but Patrick's first obligation wasn't until 9:20 a.m. She made appearances on ESPN and SPEED, then met with two contest winners from sponsor Coke Zero and about 10 people from sponsor Go Daddy. All the activities took place are her motorhome, which meant she didn't have to hop on a golf cart and dash all over Daytona International Speedway's expansive property. After meeting with crew chief Tony Gibson for approximately 30 minutes in the team's hauler, Patrick attended the drivers meeting (she sat next to boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a fellow rookie). Then it was time for lunch and driver introductions. When she was introduced to the crowd, Patrick received as many cheers as Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has won a record 10 consecutive Most Popular Driver awards. But then she suddenly got off schedule. The traditional parade lap around the track on the back of a truck took longer than expected, and Patrick didn't arrive at her car until the national anthem was about to play. She hurriedly took a picture for the Coors pole award -- Miss Coors Light and Pete Coors had been waiting 20 minutes for her to arrive -- and then climbed into the car to start the race. PHOTOS: DAYTONA 500 FESTIVITIES Story Highlights
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Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/02/24/daytona-500-2013-danica-patrick/1943125/