Danica Patrick has made racing history, becoming the first woman in the history of NASCAR to win the pole for any race. Here, Patrick sits in her car during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona. This slide show looks back at Patrick's exciting career through the years.
(CNN) -- Danica Patrick stunned the watching world at last month's Daytona 500 when she became the first female driver to claim pole position at any top-division NASCAR race.
The American smashed yet another hole in the myth that motorsport is just for men -- and her achievements have not gone unnoticed by Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, who wants her to challenge the likes of world champion Sebastian Vettel and title rival Fernando Alonso.
"There should be no reason why not, providing that we find a team to take her," Ecclestone said in an interview with the official F1 website.
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"Danica would be good to have with one of the teams now. All the things that people worry about -- whether a woman can cope with the G-forces and all that -- she has proven that she can.
Read: Patrick takes historic pole
"She's been there and done it. What I think -- and I cannot blame her for it -- is that she will hardly want to give up the exposure she has in the U.S. to come here and maybe not make it.
"I have been looking for a woman for years! I always thought that this could be a good idea."
Ecclestone said he had discussed introducing women drivers with Dietrich Mateschitz, who owns the Red Bull team that has dominated F1 for the past three years.
"I spoke with Didi Mateschitz some time ago about the issue of an American team and at that time I said that we would want an American woman driver. He seems ready," the 82-year-old said.
Read: Danica Patrick finishes 8th
Patrick, 30, is currently enjoying her first full year as a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver after racing open-wheel IndyCars for several years.
She is the leading female driver in motorsport, but has not given any indication of moving over to the world of Formula One.
The last woman to race an F1 car was Lella Lombardi back in 1976.
The Italian, who drove for March, Williams and RAM, is the only female driver in F1 history to have recorded a top-six finish.
Read: First lady of Formula 1 takes control of the track
Pastor Maldonado took the new Williams for a spin at Barcelona on February 19 following the launch at Circuit de Catalunya.
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More recently, women have been employed as test drivers -- such as Maria de Villota, whose career at the Marussia team was cut short by an accident last year.
The Spaniard, the daughter of a motor racing driver, was considered an excellent prospect and was well respected within the Formula One circuit.
But her career was curtailed in July 2012 when the MR-01 race car she was driving hit a support truck and left her with serious head and facial injuries, losing sight in one eye.
Since de Villota's accident, Scotland's Susie Wolff has been grabbing the headlines.
The 30-year-old works as a developmental driver for the Williams team -- quite a leap from the eight-year-old who started off go-karting.
But she still faces a challenge to follow in the pioneering tire marks of Lombardi and Maria Teresa de Filippis -- the first woman to compete in F1, racing five times between 1958 and 1959.
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Patrick sits in her car during the Open Test in 2005 in Phoenix.
Patrick speaks with her crew during practice for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in 2005 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
From left: Vitor Meira, Patrick and Tony Kanaan pose for a photograph in 2005 in Times Square.
Patrick looks on during Pole Day Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2005.
Patrick waits during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Patrick rounds the track during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 500 in 2005.
Patrick is seen driving a Ferrari during the previews to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2005 in Indianapolis.
Actor Patrick Dempsey and Danica Patrick make their presentation at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in 2005 in Hollywood.
Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day in 2006 in Homestead, Florida.
Patrick walks the runway during a Marie Claire and Tissot fall fashion preview show at the Fashion Show Mall in 2006 in Las Vegas.
Patrick drives during practice for the Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix in 2005 in Sonoma, California.
Patrick prepares to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick prepares during practice for the Bombardier Learjet 550k in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Patrick waits to get in her car during practice for the SunTrust Indy Challenge in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia.
Tony Kanaan, right, and Patrick celebrate after placing first and second in the Detroit Indy Grand Prix in 2007 in Detroit.
Patrick is seen during practice for the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 in 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Patrick gets ready for practice for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County in 2008 in California.
Patrick walks the runway at the 10th Annual Gridiron Glamour Show in 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Patrick poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Motegi, Japan.
Patrick poses for a portrait during media day at Barber Motorsports Park in 2009 in Leeds, Alabama.
Patrick waits during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2009.
Patrick in car No. 7 leads a group during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
A detail shot of Patrick's shoes on the grid before the New England 200 in 2010 in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Patrick loses control of her car during the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in 2010.
Patrick signs autographs during qualifying for the CARFAX 250 in 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan.
Patrick, left, drives next to Dan Wheldon during practice for the Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 in 2010 in Homestead, Florida. 
Patrick attends an Auto Club Speedway and Tissot's event in 2010 in Hollywood.
Patrick pits during the Dollar General 300 in 2010 in Concord, North Carolina.
Patrick poses for a photograph during a media day at Daytona International Speedway in 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick waits in the rain while her car is covered during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 2011.
Patrick speaks to a crew member in the garage at Daytona International Speedway in 2012.
Patrick gets out of her car after qualifying for the Daytona 500 in 2012.
Patrick sits in her car in the garage area during practice for the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 in 2012 in Darlington, South Carolina.
Patrick drives during practice for the History 300 in 2012 in Concord, North Carolina.
Patrick drives as flames shoot from the back of her car after an incident in the AdvoCare 500 in 2012 in Avondale, Arizona.
Patrick applies make-up before an interview during the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Patrick speaks to the media after qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The new Infiniti Red Bull Racing RB9 was launched at the Austrian-owned Formula One team's English headquarters in Milton Keynes on February 3.
Mark Webber, left, and triple world champion Sebastian Vettel pose with the Red Bull they will be driving this year.
Title rivals Ferrari launched the new F138 which they hope will power Fernando Alonso to glory in 2013.
British team McLaren unveiled its car on January 31. New driver Sergio Perez (right) poses with 2009 world champion Jenson Button and the new MP4-28.
Former McLaren star Lewis Hamilton, left, and new teammate Nico Rosberg pose with the new Mercedes W04 on February 4.
Sauber's new C32 was launched in Switzerland on February 2. It will be driven by Perez's replacement Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg, who left Force India in 2012.
Force India's Paul Di Resta with the new VJM06 which was launched on February 1 at Silverstone. His new teammate had yet to be named.
Charles Pic and Dutch rookie Giedo van der Garde launched Caterham's new CT03 car on the first day of preseason testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 5.
Romain Grosjean was third-fastest on the opening day in Jerez for Lotus, which was the first team to launch its new car -- the E21 -- on January 28.
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