Amelia Earhart in Pace Car as Honorary Referee at the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1935

Skilled aviatrix Amelia Earhart came to national attention in 1928, when she was invited to become the first woman to fly the Atlantic--as a passenger. Wilmer Stutz flew the plane, with Louis Gordon as co-pilot, as the trio made their challenging--and successful--journey from Newfoundland to Wales. Upon her return, Earhart received this sporty automobile from Chrysler Corporation.

Women have been involved in automobile racing from the start -- on the track, in the pits, and behind the scenes. From pioneering drivers like Vicki Wood and Janet Guthrie, to more contemporary competitors like Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick, women have made their mark on the sport from Detroit to Daytona, and from Indianapolis to Le Mans.

Amelia Earhart, famous for the 1928 flight that made her the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, helped inaugurate transcontinental airline service in 1929. She posed with a Ford Tri-Motor in New York City's Pennsylvania Station. This early service had passengers traveling by train at night and by airplane during daylight. Total travel time to California was 51 hours.

Learn about our 1953 Ford Sunliner, the Official Pace Car of the 1953 Indianapolis 500—and find out more about the race and the history of pace cars.