Darron Cummings / AP

Race car drivers Milka Duno, left, and Sarah Fisher, center, talk with former driver Lyn St. James before the start of Indy 500 qualifications Saturday.

But Fisher hasn’t started at Indy since 2004, and this is her first full-time ride in the series since 2003. The 27-year-old Fisher spent last season racing stock cars.

Fisher qualified 21st in the tentative 33-car field by going 221.960 on Sunday and intends to prove she still can successfully drive Indy cars.

“Last year, I held the banner for Vitor (Meira) and that was cool,” said Fisher, who drives for Dreyer & Reinbold. “He was a really cool guy to work with, but there’s nothing like driving here.”

Duno, whose second-place finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona earlier this year was the best by a woman, could make it three. She was one of two drivers to crash in the first week of practice, but Duno remains optimistic she’ll qualify Saturday with a speed that’s fast enough to avoid getting bumped.

The 25-year-old Venezuelan has found international acceptance.

“I have people from every place in the world wishing me luck,” she said. “I receive e-mails from Germany and Japan and Italy and America, so many countries, it’s just great. Women in motorsports can be resented, so you have to earn that respect.”

Despite progress, Guthrie knows women still face substantial obstacles.

Finding sponsorship in today’s economy — for both men and women — is nearly as much of a challenge as it was when she drove, and finding the right teams can determine success or failure.

“I’d like to see Sarah and Milka with better equipment,” Guthrie said. “Equipment has so much to do with it, because one turn on a shock absorber can make the difference between running up front and running from behind.”

If Danica-mania can excite the racing world and three women can start the 500, Guthrie believes nothing is out of reach. Even winning.

“Winning would go a long way towards acceptance,” Guthrie said. “Speaking exclusively of IndyCars you have that presence of three women, which is a small slice. Women have always done well and people forget that. But winning, especially at Indianapolis, would certainly help.”