Lynn St James Sets New Woman's Speed Record - October 11, 1987

October 11, 1987

Lynn St. James sets a new women's national closed-course speed record of 212.577 mph at Talladega Super Speedway, driving a Ford Thunderbird.

Lynn is a retired Indy Car driver with 11 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is one of seven women who have qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 "Rookie of the Year" award. She also has two victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and 1 win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. She has competed in endurance racing in Europe, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where in 1979 her team placed first and second in class. She founded the 501 Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation in 1994 and is a motivational speaker.