Engineering her own path

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Danica Patrick may be an inspiration for Lauren Sullivan.  But Danica is not who Lauren wants to be.  She says she's not a particularly good driver, and can't even stand highway traffic, much less the headaches found on the track.

Lauren wears many hats for Team Pelfrey, an open-wheel team based in Clearwater that competes in the Pro Mazda driver development series.  The 24-year-old mechanical engineer's job entails everything from mechanic to office manager. 

She, like the drivers who come through the circuit, wants to continue to move up through the ranks.  But she also knows what challenges might lie ahead.  She's a very rare sight at the track, as a female working on cars in a largely male-dominated sport.

Click above to see Lauren's story, and to hear what her teammates have to say about having her around.  Also, her insight into the dirtiest part of her job.