MOTEGI, Japan — Danica Patrick never doubted a woman could win a race. It finally happened Sunday.

Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history today, winning the Indy Japan 300 in her 50th career start.

"I'm glad it finally happened," said Patrick. "But I would be lying if I told you I didn't think it would be me."

Win No. 1 was a long time coming for 26-year-old Patrick, who finished a career-best seventh in the season standings last year when her best finish was second in the race at Detroit's Belle Isle.

Patrick's first IndyCar race was in 2005 at Homestead-Miami.

Patrick said the nicest thing about Sunday's win is that she no longer has to answer those annoying questions about when she'd win.

"I've been asked so many times when and if I can win my first race and finally, no more of those questions."

At the 2005 Indy 500, she nearly won the pole and became the first female driver to lead the race en route to a fourth-place finish. It was the best finish by a woman at Indy, and helped her take rookie of the year honors.

She won Sunday's race with a combination of cool composure and fuel strategy, taking the lead from pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 198th lap in the 200-lap race.

"When I had to talk into my radio after the race, all I could say was 'thank you,'" said Patrick, who finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of Castroneves on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval. "''

Patrick praised her Andretti Green Racing teammates for helping her make the right decisions in Sunday's race.

"It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me," said Patrick. "I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

Patrick, who started from the third row and made her final pit stop on lap 148, stayed close to the leaders throughout the race and realized she had a chance when the top contenders headed to the pits late in the race.

Patrick went from fourth to second place on lap 197 after Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan went into the pit on lap 196. She was as low as eighth place on the 189th lap.

"I knew from the start of the last fuel load that I was going to have a chance," said Patrick. "I was saving fuel from the first lap but it wasn't until I passed Helio that I knew I was going to win."

Scott Dixon took the lead from Castroneves on the 93rd lap in the race pushed back to Sunday because of wet track conditions Saturday, but gave up the top spot to pit for fuel on lap 194.

Patrick said the emotions came out on the victory lap.

"When it actually happened, maybe it was a little anticlimactic," said Patrick, who shed a tear in the victory lane. "Then the emotions came out and that was a little girly of me."

Patrick received a warm welcome from her family near the winner's podium.

"There was a lot of "I love you,' and 'congratulations,' said Patrick. "My dad said it was the best day of his life."

Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, was ecstatic with Patrick's historical win.

"Danica is such a fantastic person and I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing. "We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many."

Dixon was third, 10.0559 seconds behind Patrick. Wheldon was fourth, and Kanaan finished fifth.

Castroneves, awarded the pole position after qualifying was rained out Friday, said Patrick ran a great race.

"With five laps to go, I was saving fuel," Castroneves said. "When Danica passed me, I realized she was the leader. She did a great job, passed me fair and square and that shows you how competitive our series is."