IndyCar Series racer Danica Patrick has been named to TIME magazine’s 2009 list of the world’s 100 most influential people. The annual top-100 issue, on sale this week, is typically made up of government and business leaders, as well as media celebrities.

Patrick, who won her first Indy car race in Motegi, Japan, last year, made the list, for “breaking through the sound barrier glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race, earning the respect of her male colleagues in the process.”

Patrick, who first made popular waves with her run to fourth place as a rookie in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, will start taking aim for her fifth shot at an Indy victory beginning this weekend, with Pole Day qualifying set for Saturday. Practice begins at Indy on Wednesday, following today’s Rookie Orientation Program at the Speedway.