Dara Torres Wins the PEOPLE Pole Award for Second TimeFirst Time Two Women Take Top Qualifying Positions
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 12, 2002) - Women ruled today as Dara Torres and Danica Patrick qualified in the top positions for the celebrity and professional categories respectively in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. For the second year in a row, Dara Torres turned the fastest lap (1:48:46) in today's qualifying session at the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race to take the pole position for the 26th Anniversary of the fan-favorite event on Saturday, April 13. The top-professional driver was Danica Patrick, with a lap time of 1:46:60.
In addition to winning the coveted inside front-row position for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Olympic-swimming medalist Dara Torres was awarded the fifth annual "PEOPLE Pole Award." Sponsored by PEOPLE Magazine, the award honors the top-celebrity qualifier for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race with a $10,000 donation from PEOPLE to the pole sitter's charity of choice. Dara Torres designated her pole winnings to Sun Valley Adaptive Sports Foundation, a charitable organization that raises funds for handicapped or disabled individuals to participate in winter sports events. Other Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race participants include Patrick Stewart, Goran Visjnic, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Titus, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Goldberg.
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will begin at approximately noon on Saturday, April 13 with a field of 17 drivers. The 10-lap race will be broadcast in its entirety on ESPN Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. EST and again on ESPN2 Sunday, May 12 at 7 p.m. EST.
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