Guthrie failed to qualify in her first Indy trip in 1976 but broke the gender barrier by making the 33 - car field in 1977 .
In 1975 , Donohue was killed in a crash during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix .
Guthrie failed to qualify in Donohue 's first Indy trip in 1976 but broke the gender barrier by making the 33 - car field in 1977 .
In 1975 , Donohue was killed in a crash during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix .