By capturing first place in Sunday's Indy300 race in Motegi, Japan, Patrick shook free of critics who have downplayed her sports celebrity as more flash than substance.
New Zealander Scott Dixon, who won the first race of the IRL season, has also been cleared to race after he suffered a broken wrist in a two-car accident during the Indy Japan 300 on 13 April 13 at Motegi.