Danica Patrick surprised herself with a 12th-place finish Sunday in her Martinsville Speedway debut 
After starting at the back at the field, Danica Patrick (10) rallied to a 12th-place finish Sunday at Martinsville. (Photo: Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights - Danica Patrick got her first top-25 result since Daytona, finishing 12th on Sunday
- Patrick was lapped twice earlier in the race but felt comfortable at the 0-526-mile track
- "She came a long way from yesterday," said runner-up Clint Bowyer
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Clint Bowyer had a confession after finishing second at Martinsville Speedway.
"I got behind Danica (Patrick)," he said, "and I couldn't pass her."
Sitting next to Bowyer in a news conference after a surprising 12th-place result, Patrick looked pleased.
MARTINSVILLE: Jimmie Johnson makes history with win
"She came a long way from yesterday," Bowyer continued. "She was extremely fast. Good job."
Against all expectations — including those of her own team — Patrick scored a solid, lead-lap finish in her debut at one of NASCAR's toughest tracks. Though she made history in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, becoming the first woman to win a Cup pole and lead the Daytona 500 (she placed eighth), Martinsville is much more difficult and has been known to frustrate drivers regardless of their experience level.
RESULTS: STP Gas Booster 500
Patrick had been expected to finish multiple laps down and perhaps outside the top 30 — team owner Tony Stewart even said before the race that he expected to laugh at the rookie's learning curve — but instead she led the way for Stewart-Haas Racing and got her first top-25 result since Daytona.
Patrick even passed her boss, who started 26th and finished 17th.
"I felt a little funny kind of racing really hard for position there with Tony at the end, and then to get in front of him, that was a little victory for me because he's so good," Patrick said of Stewart, who has won at Martinsville three times.
"I'm going to go over to his bus after this and see what he has to say about it," she added.
STEWART: Makes passionate anti-blocking argument
Count crew chief Tony Gibson among those surprised by her finish.
"I figured if we could finish top 25 and be a couple of laps down it would be a miracle," Gibson said. "I never dreamed."
"It was a fun little track," Patrick said.
PHOTOS: Danica Patrick's NASCAR career 
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 ![Danica Patrick (10), the first woman ever to start on a Sprint Cup pole, leads Jeff Gordon (24) to the green flag at the start of the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
Danica Patrick (10), the first woman ever to start on a Sprint Cup pole, leads Jeff Gordon (24) to the green flag at the start of the 2013 Daytona 500. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![By virtue of winning the pole, Danica Patrick got to pick the first pit stall for the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
By virtue of winning the pole, Danica Patrick got to pick the first pit stall for the 2013 Daytona 500. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick waves to her fans after making NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole. Patrick qualified first for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.]()
Danica Patrick waves to her fans after making NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole. Patrick qualified first for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick poses with the pole winner sign after becoming the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole position on Feb. 17, 2013.]()
Danica Patrick poses with the pole winner sign after becoming the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole position on Feb. 17, 2013. Chris Graythen, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick is nothing but smiles as she addresses the media after winning the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
Danica Patrick is nothing but smiles as she addresses the media after winning the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick was the eighth driver out on the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. She posted a speed of 196.434 mph, which held up throughout the day.]()
Danica Patrick was the eighth driver out on the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. She posted a speed of 196.434 mph, which held up throughout the day. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick prepares before heading out onto the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
Danica Patrick prepares before heading out onto the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick walks from her hauler to her garage during practice for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2013.]()
Danica Patrick walks from her hauler to her garage during practice for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2013. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went public with their romantic crelationship in early 2013 after rumors swirled about the fellow Sprint Cup rookies.]()
Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went public with their romantic crelationship in early 2013 after rumors swirled about the fellow Sprint Cup rookies. Chris Graythen, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick applies makeup before a television interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2013.]()
Danica Patrick applies makeup before a television interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2013. John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick gets a hand from her crew as she prepares to take the track for qualifying practice for the 2013 Daytona 500.]()
Danica Patrick gets a hand from her crew as she prepares to take the track for qualifying practice for the 2013 Daytona 500. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick has formed a tight bond with her team owner and fellow competitor Tony Stewart.]()
Danica Patrick has formed a tight bond with her team owner and fellow competitor Tony Stewart. Davis Turner for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![In preparation for her first full season as a Sprint Cup driver, Danica Patrick speaks with the press during the NASCAR Media Tour on Jan. 21, 2013.]()
In preparation for her first full season as a Sprint Cup driver, Danica Patrick speaks with the press during the NASCAR Media Tour on Jan. 21, 2013. Jeff Siner, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick high-fives fans prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.]()
Danica Patrick high-fives fans prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Ross D. Franklin, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick (10) lands on top of Paul Menard during a crash on the final lap of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.]()
Danica Patrick (10) lands on top of Paul Menard during a crash on the final lap of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick behind the wheel during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.]()
Danica Patrick behind the wheel during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Patrick would go on to finish a career- and season-best 24th.]()
Danica Patrick is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Patrick would go on to finish a career- and season-best 24th. Jerome Miron, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick takes on tires and fuel during a pit stop at the Nov. 4 AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race. Patrick was one of 25 drivers to finish on the lead lap.]()
Danica Patrick takes on tires and fuel during a pit stop at the Nov. 4 AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race. Patrick was one of 25 drivers to finish on the lead lap. Tom Pennington, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick finished 24th at the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4.]()
Danica Patrick finished 24th at the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4. Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick waves to the fans during driver introductions at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.]()
Danica Patrick waves to the fans during driver introductions at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia. By John Harrelson, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick during qualifying for the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug 31, 2012.]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick during qualifying for the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug 31, 2012. By Kevin Liles, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick presents the award for Best Team onstage with NBA player Steve Nash at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A on July 11, 2012.]()
Danica Patrick presents the award for Best Team onstage with NBA player Steve Nash at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A on July 11, 2012. By Kevin Winter, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick, driver of the http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/04/07/danica-patrick-martinsville-surprising-result/2061581/%2310 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sept 30, 2012.]()
Danica Patrick, driver of the http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/04/07/danica-patrick-martinsville-surprising-result/2061581/%2310 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sept 30, 2012. By Tom Pennington, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Pat Summitt, left, head coach emeritus of the Tennessee women's basketball team, greets Danica Patrick before the Food City 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Bristol, Tenn. Summitt was the grand marshal of the race.]()
Pat Summitt, left, head coach emeritus of the Tennessee women's basketball team, greets Danica Patrick before the Food City 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Bristol, Tenn. Summitt was the grand marshal of the race. By Mark Humphrey, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick starts her car prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee.]()
Danica Patrick starts her car prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee. By Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Danica Patrick sits down for an interview with Pardon the Interruption co-hosts Tony Kornheiser, left, and Michael Wilbon on Feb 21, 2012.]()
Danica Patrick sits down for an interview with Pardon the Interruption co-hosts Tony Kornheiser, left, and Michael Wilbon on Feb 21, 2012.
After starting at the back at the field, Danica Patrick (10) rallied to a 12th-place finish Sunday at Martinsville. (Photo: Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports) MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Clint Bowyer had a confession after finishing second at Martinsville Speedway. "I got behind Danica (Patrick)," he said, "and I couldn't pass her." Sitting next to Bowyer in a news conference after a surprising 12th-place result, Patrick looked pleased. MARTINSVILLE: Jimmie Johnson makes history with win "She came a long way from yesterday," Bowyer continued. "She was extremely fast. Good job." Against all expectations — including those of her own team — Patrick scored a solid, lead-lap finish in her debut at one of NASCAR's toughest tracks. Though she made history in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, becoming the first woman to win a Cup pole and lead the Daytona 500 (she placed eighth), Martinsville is much more difficult and has been known to frustrate drivers regardless of their experience level. RESULTS: STP Gas Booster 500 Patrick had been expected to finish multiple laps down and perhaps outside the top 30 — team owner Tony Stewart even said before the race that he expected to laugh at the rookie's learning curve — but instead she led the way for Stewart-Haas Racing and got her first top-25 result since Daytona. Patrick even passed her boss, who started 26th and finished 17th. "I felt a little funny kind of racing really hard for position there with Tony at the end, and then to get in front of him, that was a little victory for me because he's so good," Patrick said of Stewart, who has won at Martinsville three times. "I'm going to go over to his bus after this and see what he has to say about it," she added. STEWART: Makes passionate anti-blocking argument Count crew chief Tony Gibson among those surprised by her finish. "I figured if we could finish top 25 and be a couple of laps down it would be a miracle," Gibson said. "I never dreamed." "It was a fun little track," Patrick said. PHOTOS: Danica Patrick's NASCAR career Story Highlights
