Lyn St. James

IndyCar racing // American

Success is about perseverance and the willingness to work hard long after the initial excitement has faded.
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what gives it purpose.
Racing is a team sport. The driver gets the glory, but it’s the people behind the scenes who make it possible.

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nickname:

No nickname found.

Birthday:

Unknown

Birthplace:

Willoughby, Ohio, United States

racing type:

IndyCar racing

team(s):

racing status:

height (cm):

163

residence:

inspiration(s):

Janet Guthrie, Phil Hill

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie, Maria Teresa de Filippis

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-0386

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

Lyn St. James is a pioneering female racing driver who made history as the first woman to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year in 1992, and competed in seven Indianapolis 500 races between 1992 and 2000.

EARLY YEARS

Born Evelyn Cornelia St. James on March 13, 1947, in Willoughby, Ohio, Lyn grew up in a blue-collar household where her father, a tool-and-die maker, sparked her early fascination with mechanics. As a teenager, she built a homemade go-kart with her brother from scrap parts, showcasing the beginnings of her passion for speed. An accomplished athlete in her youth, she won an Ohio state championship in the 440-yard dash, developing the competitive spirit that would fuel her racing career.

EARLY SUCCESS

In 1976, St. James set a women’s world speed record of 149.727 mph at Talladega Superspeedway driving a Chevrolet Camaro, marking her entry into professional motorsports. By the mid-1980s, she had established herself in endurance racing, securing a class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1985 with a Ford Mustang team, demonstrating her skill and endurance in one of racing’s most challenging events.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

1976: Set a women’s world speed record of 149.727 mph at Talladega Superspeedway in a Chevrolet Camaro[1].
1985: Won the GTO class at the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Ford Mustang[2].
1989: Finished 11th overall and 2nd in the GTP Lights class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Spice-Cosworth[3].
1990: Claimed GTO class victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona in a Ford Mustang[4].
1992: Became the first woman to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, finishing 11th in her debut[5].
1994: Achieved career-best 9th place finish at the Indianapolis 500[6].
1995: Inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame[7].

REPUTATION

St. James is revered as one of the most accomplished female drivers in motorsports history, known for her remarkable consistency across multiple racing disciplines. Her perseverance and professionalism in breaking barriers led to her founding the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation to support aspiring female racers. Beyond her competitive achievements, her advocacy work has cemented her legacy as a pioneering figure who opened doors for women in a male-dominated sport.