Iowan remembers Indy woman racer from early days

Indy racing’s newest star is no stranger to a former track owner in Marshalltown. Danica Patrick will be the fourth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday when she starts in the second row.Gordie Johnson owned the Iowa International Go-Kart track when Patrick raced in a national competition at the age of 15. He says at that time there weren’t many women in go-karting, and that made her very memorable.Johnson says Patrick showed potential an early age with an aggressive style. He says she’s and “In your face type of driver,” who he says is very good at what she does. Johnson says he is not surprised with the level Patrick has risen to. He says she was at the top of the heap, especially among women drivers. The Indy 500 begins at noon on Sunday.