If it wasn't for Danica, everyone would watch NASCAR instead
Posted on 04/19/2008 9:14:28 PM PDT by ZGuy
Danica Patrick used a fuel gamble to take a historic victory in the delayed Motegi round of the IRL IndyCar Series.
The Andretti Green Racing driver took the lead with just two laps to go as the rest of the front-runners had to pit for fuel and became the first woman to win a major American open-wheel race.
Patrick had run towards the foot of the top ten for most of the race, as Ganassi's Scott Dixon and Penske's Helio Castroneves dominated the event.
But AGR's decision to bring Patrick in for an additional fuel top-up at the end of the final full course yellow paid off spectacularly, allowing her to take a remarkable last gasp victory.
Castroneves led the first half of the race, before being jumped by Dixon during the mid-race pitstops. The Ganassi driver then pulled away from the field - leading by as much as six seconds - and looked set for victory until having to pit from the lead with six laps to go.
Fellow leaders Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan and Castroneves then had to follow suit, allowing Patrick to come through and snatch the win. Castroneves and Dixon completed the podium.
now she can add ‘race car driver’ to her resume as a pin-up model.
No pics?
Not a bad job to have.
If it wasn't for Danica, everyone would watch NASCAR instead
While most hoped in vain for additional yellows, Patrick, Castroneves and Vision Racing’s Ed Carpenter all chose to make an extra stop just before the green, but only Patrick was able to conserve enough fuel in the final 51 laps to make it to the flag without a final splash-and-go stop.
That is a chauvanistic, snide comment.
Danica Patrick has shown herself to be more than a worthy competitor throughout her career to date. She is a talented driver and competes on equal terms with the men in what is a physically demanding sport.
She should be congratulated on her win.
I would love to personally congratulate her.
Fellow leaders Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan and Castroneves then had to follow suit, allowing Patrick to come through and snatch the win.
Danica snatched the win. Uh-huh.
I’m glad for her. Unlike some drivers, she can do more than a left turn.
As far as I’m concerned, all left turn only racing is boring.
Why turn at all? going fast in a straight line is best!!!
Patrick shows the trophy she earned with the victory.
Dissing someone for appreciating both of her chosen endeavors borders, in my view, on political correctness.
Or that IRL races have become a joke because they have bowed to environmentalist wackos and demanded that every race be run on some form of bio-fuel. I remember last years Japan IRL race, the japanese orgnaizers didn't comprehend how much sugar was going to be needed to make enough bio-ethenol fuel for the race, couldn't even find enough spare stock of it in the entire country, and had to air cargo conatainers of it at the last minute.
And you wonder why food prices are escalating around the world?
“Why turn at all? going fast in a straight line is best!!!”
Well, dang,...you’re right, I forgot about the drags.
They are a lot of fun and the cars are incredible.
I’ve been watching some of them on TV lately, John Force (love the name, Force of nature, etc.) and his daughter Ashley, etc. Top Fuel, Pro Stock and the Funnies.
Good for me with the attention span of a gnat.
Soon we will hear some more grumbling from the losing male drivers about how it's unfair that she has a 100-lb. body, and may I say a rockin', perfectly toned 100-lb body, that helps her save fuel.
Lay off the Twinkies, lard asses, and maybe then you can catch her. Go Danica!
-ccm
Last week, I saw a whining male 175-pound driver complain that Danicka, at 100 pounds, has a one mile per hour advantage.
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