Trailblazer: Race Car Driver Danica Patrick Races Today in the Daytona 500

NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick is a real competitor. After Thursday night's contact on the race track with a NASCAR driver who pushed too close to her race car and caused her to spin and wreck her vehicle, she didn't give up. After several pit stops for repair, she raced so she could qualify in today's Daytona 500 race. To be assured of a spot in The Great American Race on Sunday, Patrick needed to finish at least 16th in her Duel qualifier. With her skill and determination, she set her race helmet to do that. 

During the duel race, she radioed her team to find out what she needed to do to make it into the most important race in NASCAR schedule of 2015 races. In an interview at FOXSports.com she said,   "At the end when they told me I need four spots or, 'You need to pass these two cars or you're 18th right now,' I was like, 'Okay, do I have to be desperate basically? Do I have to pass these cars?' Nobody answered me. I just said, 'Screw it, I'm going to be desperate.' "

Danica did it! She is racing in the 2015 Daytona 500 in her bright green #10 car emblazoned with her sponsor's logo, Go Daddy.

Danica's race car--photo from Danica Patrick's Facebook page

Many years ago, this feisty young woman was really my spark to begin featuring trailblazing women  on this blog and to tell the stories of  successful women and their careers in an eBook for girls. I want girls to hear the stories of these role models and be empowered to pursue their dream careers and goals. Danica Patrick certainly is an inspiring role model.

Danica began racing go karts when she was ten years old at the Sugar River Raceway in Broadhead, Wisconsin. At sixteen she moved to England to advance her racing career racing in the British national series. From this beginning she kept working on her racing skills and pushed on to success after success. Her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is the only women's victory in an IndyCar Series race and her third place in the 2009 Indianapolis 500 the highest finish there ever by a woman.  In 2013, she became the first female NASCAR driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole, turning in the fastest qualifying lap since 1990 - qualifying for the Daytona. And this year she returns to Daytona to race after overcoming the car wreck and having to drive a back up car around those high sloped sides of the Daytona track.

Go Danica! 

I'll update you on the results after the race is finished this evening.

UPDATE: February 23, 2015

Danica finished 21st in the field of 43 cars. Amazing performance! She was flying around the race track at 200 mph and so were all the cars. I can only relate to driving on I-95 at 75 mph with traffic whizzing by me at 80 or 90 mph. I cannot imagine driving at those NASCAR race speeds. 

How about you? Are you interested in racing cars or being a car/truck mechanic? Leave a comment below.
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Video: Amy Poehler Visits with Pediatrician Dr. Jane Aronson at the Smart Girls Party

Welcome to the Girls Succeed! blog. 

Today I have an episode from Amy Poehler's Smart Girls Party to share with you. Comedian Amy Poehler interviews pediatrician Dr. Jane Aronson. She is a "world-changer." Dr. Aronson works with the World Wide Orphan Foundation and brings humanity and love to the children who have no one to love or care for them. Through this program, children are nourished and loved, and also taught how to express themselves through the arts and sports.

The world
Photo courtesy of nja
Freedigitalphotos.net

Dr, Aronson maintains you can change the world by doing small things.Don't wait to embrace a huge movement, just begin with small steps.

Listen to her interview with the very funny Amy Poehler. You too can change the world for the better!

Dr. Jane Aronson: Smart Girls w/ Amy Poehler--from You Tube.com

Happy Valentine's Day from J.Q. Rose

Happy Valentine's Day from J.Q. Rose

Hello! Popping in here to wish you a 

Happy Valentine's Day!

How will you spend Valentine's Day? With your sweetheart? With your family? With your cuddly kitten? 

However you celebrate, take time to say "I love you" and pass out a few hugs and smiles wherever you go.

Trailblazer: Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor, Gasparilla Parade

A pirate in the Gasparilla Parade, Tampa, FL

Photo courtesy of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Aaargh, Matey. T'is the invasion of Tampa by the pirates. 

Yes, really. But it's all in fun. Every year the City of Tampa is invaded by pirates who take away the key to the city. The pirate ship floats into the bay with cannons booming and spilling over with pirates who are actually residents of the city all dressed up in costume.

The Pirate ship invades Tampa Bay!
Photo courtesy of Lee Ann Clausen

Our family was fortunate enough to take in the event last weekend. And oh my, but so much fun. We had a delicious brunch at the Tampa Convention Center, then walked to the parade route where we watched over 100 floats and several bands make their way down the Bayfront Boulevard. Every float threw beads to the spectators! And what fun is that!

Our 5-year-old granddaughter dressed as a mermaid and people gave her beads. She was a bit small to catch them on her own. (I've got to admit she looked pretty cute in that costume. No wonder she brought home almost 6 pounds of beads!)

She was honored to have her picture taken with the Tampa Chief of Police, Jane Castor.

Chief of Police Jane Castor and our granddaughter at Tampa's  Gasparilla Brunch

Chief Castor is Tampa's first female chief of police. She was in law enforcement for 25 years when appointed by Tampa's mayor Pam Iorio in 2009. According to her City of Tampa Official Biography "she has served in nearly every capacity within the Department from Patrol, Narcotics, Family Violence and Sex Crimes to Criminal Intelligence, the Field Training Program and Administration." The popular chief will retire in May 2015.

Have you considered a career in law enforcement? Leave a comment below and tell us about your career plans.