IndyCar's top female driver Danica Patrick has finished sixth in her stock car debut at Daytona International Speedway.

She passed several cars in the closing laps but couldn't catch winner Bobby Gerhart on Saturday. Mark Thompson was runner-up.

Patrick, and IndyCar driver who is racing a part-time schedule on the NASCAR circuit, in December said she would delay her official debut for a race in Fontana on February 20.

The event in Daytona was to mark the eve of her starring in Super Bowl commercials by her car sponsor.