AAA Feb. 24, 2013 3:09 PM ET Danica Patrick leads laps in historic Daytona 500 By MARK LONGBy MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer Danica Patrick, center, prepares to get in her car before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Danica Patrick pits for fuel and tires during the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Danica Patrick, front left,and Jeff Gordon, front right, leads the pack to start the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. 23-24 - FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2013, file photo, Danica Patrick stands by her car on pit road after qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Patrick became the first woman to win a pole at NASCAR's highest level when she earned the top starting spot for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday, when the new Gen-6 race car will get its first big test. AP Photo/Terry Renna, File (AP) - Danica Patrick has made more history at Daytona International Speedway. Patrick became the first woman to lead a lap in the famed Daytona 500 on Sunday. She led two laps - Nos. 90 and 91. Fans were on their feet as Patrick beat Michael Waltrip to the front of the field on a restart. Patrick started the 200-lap race on the pole after becoming the first woman to qualify in the top spot. She failed to lead the first lap, though, falling behind three-time race winner Jeff Gordon. Nonetheless, it was a big moment for NASCAR and Patrick. Patrick also made history as an IndyCar driver. She led 19 laps as a rookie in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, becoming the first woman to lead open-wheel racing's premier event. She finished fourth.