For those of who are Danica Patrick fans you have reason to celebrate. She finally won an Indy race, winning Saturday’s race in Japan. I say finally not because I think it took her a long time, rather because I think it finally validates what really did not need validating. That Danica is a good race car driver.
I am one of those in sports who thinks that the more diverse group of participants the better. The bigger audience the better, no matter what the sport is. Danica was able to bring some excitement to a racing circuit that badly needed it. The IRL needed hype and they got it with Danica. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the haters quickly came out and tried to paint Danica as nothing more than a pretty face who happened to drive. Comparisons to Anna Kournikova quickly appeared, for no other reason than she happened to be pretty, had some endorsements, and happened to exist roughly around the same time.
Danica is nothing like Kournikova, she is for real. This was a driver that was the first woman to ever lead a lap in the Indy 500, finished fourth in one 500 race, and had a second and a couple third place finishes in other IRL races.
The haters will point that she won on pit strategy, winning on fuel stops, but that is part of racing…part of the strategy that ALL teams prepare for, Danica and her team executed a plan that every team out there had. It should not take away from her historic win.
I still remember how cool it was when I learned that Lyn St. James was going to race in the 500. Even though I loved watching Arie Luyendyk, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser Jr and others I always thought it was cool that James had the opportunity to race. Now I think it is cool that Danica has a chance to win. Sports, especially less followed sports like the IRL, only grow when there is new blood and reasons for the fans to watch. It can’t be gimmicky and it can’t be false.
Danica has proven with her victory, that the future of the IRL is bright and that she is for real…even if she and others have known it all along.
1 response so far ↓
1 Jeff K // Apr 24, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Danica can drive and will win again, no question.
The Kournikova comparisons are unfair, for the simple reason that Anna was good. Most people seem to forget about her grand slam wins. That’s right, Anna has several doubles titles. Kournikova could play tennis and play well.
Danica should be proud of her win and the milestone victory for women in formula one racing. Her detractors are laughable with their excuses of pit strategy, fuel management etc. When Jimmy Johnson does it in Nascar, he’s praised, when Danica does it, she’s criticized? Come on people.
I’m with you on this one, Danica has a bright future ahead.
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