Female wins race in downtown Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Simona De Silvestro, the only woman in the 23-car field for Sunday's Atlantics Championship season opener, earned her first win in the Champ Car developmental series.

Less than 24 hours after Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar race, the 19-year-old De Silvestro joined Katherine Legge as the only female winners in Atlantics.

"Danica wins, I win, it's a perfect weekend," the Swiss driver said.

De Silvestro's best previous finish in 12 Atlantic starts was seventh. Sunday's 38-lap event was raced on the streets of downtown Long Beach.

-- AP