Posted on 06/01/2005 10:18:58 AM PDT by freepatriot32
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 31) - Robby Gordon was not being critical of Danica Patrick when he said she had an unfair weight advantage in the Indianapolis 500. Rather, he said he was simply discussing a flaw in the Indy Racing League's rules.
"The only thing I was saying was that I have a problem with the rule, not any particular driver," Gordon said Tuesday. "I've been impressed with Danica from the first time she got in an IRL car earlier this year, and I certainly did not mean to disrespect her or any other driver."
Patrick wowed the racing world by becoming the highest-finishing female driver in Indianapolis history with a fourth-place finish on Sunday.
Gordon stated the day before the race that because Patrick weighs just 100 pounds, her car is lighter than everyone else in the field. Unlike other series, the IRL does not include a driver when setting its weight limit.
In NASCAR, where Gordon currently competes, the minimum weight requirement includes the driver.
But in the IRL, a car must weigh 1,525 pounds before the fuel and driver are added. A smaller driver would have at least a slight edge over heavier ones because of the rule.
"This rule has been around for years, and it's something that Paul Tracy and I have talked about for a long time," said Gordon, who weighs nearly 200 pounds.
Gordon's comments actually echoed those of several drivers in Indianapolis who complained that Patrick had an advantage.
"It makes a big difference," race-winner Dan Wheldon said Tuesday. "If it didn't in qualifying, you wouldn't worry about the fuel. We try to make it basically run out during qualifying, and that's what a difference of six or seven pounds makes. I definitely think it's an advantage and I'm pretty sure in due time you'll have a rule change on that."
Sam Hornish Jr., who weighs roughly 60 pounds more than Patrick, said two days before the race that the size difference gave her an edge.
"That's got to be worth something," Hornish told the Toledo Blade. "Whether you calculate speed or fuel economy, that little difference is a factor."
Hornish's bosses at Penske Racing even figured out the mathematical advantage Patrick had.
"That's probably worth something like 0.8 of a mile an hour," team president Tim Cindric said.
Gordon, who didn't run in the Indy 500 this season for the first time in 10 years, said he was trying to make the same point.
Instead, his comments were interpreted by many as Gordon being critical of Patrick. He stressed Tuesday that was never his intent.
"Indy is one of the toughest races in the world to finish, let alone win, and the fact that she ran up front for most of the 200 laps proved her ability to drive," he said. "Given that she is so young, I would be amazed if she didn't win at least one Indy 500.
"Had she won, it would have done more for the IRL and the Indy 500 than could ever be imagined. As one who loves that race as much or more than any other, it would have been great to see because it would have been huge for the IRL."
IRL officials have said they are not considering changing the weight requirements.
Wheldon said the rules have forced the IRL regulars to be as light as possible.
"A lot of us have changed our training regimen for that," he said. "I'm not lifting as much weight as I used to, and I'm running like a son of a gun."
NASCAR Driver Says Female Phenom Has Unfair Edge(Danica Patrick)
Sorry Robby, you're still a crybaby.
Go on a diet and quit yer gripin', ya bunch of lard-butts!
So that's why Jimmy Spencer and lately Tony Stewart don't win in Nascar? I thought they just sucked. Now I know that they are fat asses who suck.
But does he have a point??? NASCAR has weight adjustment.
Maybe he shouldn't have been such a baby about his comment.
What bugs be about the whole Danica thing is how the press has such a boner over her. I don't remember all this press for Lynn St. James or Sarah Fisher. Probably because they weren't as nice to look at.
Though, I admit she is a much better driver.
OK, the Ann Coutler rule must apply to all Danicia Patrick threads. Someone please start posting the pictures. Of Patrick, that is.
Hey, Tony doesn't suck.
Sounds more like he's apologizing for being caught being a dumb-ass.
He should try NASCAR or F1, which adjust for weight.
Playing in a league with no such rule and bitching about it is very childish behavior.
Do you remember the 500 when St. James and Fisher wrecked each other? What are the odds the two women drivers find each other and take each other out? I'll bet one was putting on make up while the other was on the cell phone.
Thanks.
LOL! Lynn was always too conservative for my taste. That was rookie error by Fisher.
Lynn's philosophy was always to just finish, selling herself short.
At least Danica is in it to win it.
OK, I admit he doesn't.
But since Joe went back to the NFL sidelines, Gibbs sure does.
Last spring we toured the shops in Charlotte. It was the Thursday before a day off (Good Friday). Ganassi, Roush, Hendrick, they were all busting their butts even though it was an open date.
Gibbs shop was dead. A few guys walking around with their wives/girlfriends/kids. I knew then they were in decline.
Now Now, stop it. It would be hard to do either in those cars. They were probably just both distracted from it being a bad time of the month and they were worried that they left the iron on at home and might burn the house down.
I agree.
Robbie:
You need lose around 75 pounds in your butt and gain a pound in your brain.
Idiot!
Robbie:
You need lose around 75 pounds in your butt and gain a pound in your brain.
Idiot!
Hey, I just reported you to the mods. No pics of guys!
You rock.
Ya know, Rahal/Letterman racing seems to be on to something lately. Maybe they need to get involved in NASCAR.
How big of an advantage can it be? In horse racing, it is a big advantage, therefore the jockeys are all elves. If it was such a big deal in IRL, wouldn't the racers over time all become little elves too? Clearly the individual teams think that it is not a very important factor.
Far be it from me to miss a chance to bash Robby Gordon, but it seems to me that he went out of his way to clarify his remarks and compliment Patrick's performance. Robby gets a free pass from me the next time he acts like a jerk -- but it's just one, Robby.
Thanks :)
Ha!
See post #29.
if you are really deperate, go to images.google.com and search danica patrick, I'm sure you'll find an afternoon full of looking
Oh man. Who's that guy with her?
They have lots, that's where I got mine, but I can't get the images to enlarge. It's probably me, I'm not as computer savvy as most here.
Is that Dale Jr.? I hope they don't have kids, I'd hate to have to chase those little critters around the yard.
From the article "In NASCAR, where Gordon currently competes, the minimum weight requirement includes the driver"
He does try NASCAR, it is where he got the idea!
If you had ever seen jimmy spencer in a modified and Stewart in a sprint car you would not say that. Both are awesome.
The press was CERTAINLY there for Lyn. She had a lot less talent that Patrick, too.
Then he should stick to NASCAR and F1 if he wants that rule.
He has nowhere near the talent required for F1. He does very well off road, though.
Good grief... I can't imagine weight difference makes that much difference in a race car.... what a whiner!
with the "<" signals after typing img src="picture location" type: image hight="750" image width="800"> just example numbers, after expirementing around for a while, you'll get to know what dimensions work best for what type of picture. Just always remember to preview before you post lest is be huge.
That's true.
I guess I don't remember the press. I am getting old I guess.
I was at Indy for all of her races, it was fun to root for the girl.
Thanks for the tip.
Undoubtedly that's why he's bitching about the rules of IRL: he can't compete in F1, but wants to race open-wheel.
She was getting into Indy when I got sick of it. All they talked about was Lyn St James. The same deal when Janet Guthrie ran. They had no special talent, but sucked way far more than their 1/33 (obviously skewed for talent & name recognition) of the hype.
Danica Patrick and fiance Paul Hospenthal
How did Stewart become the 2002 champion without winning?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.