Posted on 07/26/2005 8:34:44 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
Apparently everyone has not fallen head over heels for Danica Patrick.
According to a report in the Indianapolis Star, four Andretti Team racing drivers-Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, defending IRL champion Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta-boycotted a mandatory autograph session Saturday night at Wisconsin State Fair Park because organizers at the fan-friendly event created a different line for Patrick.
According to the report, the drivers haven't been pleased with the way the IRL has promoted Patrick over the other drivers.'Its a serious issue, and one we need to talk with league officals about,' AGR co-owner Kevin Savoree told the Star.
The drivers will be likely fined for the protest, and maybe lose championship points, although IRL president Brian Barnhart told the Star that the scenario was unlikely.
AGR drivers have grown tired of all the media attention that Patrick has recieved since the Indy 500 in May, where she became the first woman to lead the race while finishing fourth overall.
Kanaan and Herta, who have taken shots at Patrick after recent races, chose not to comment about the boycott after Sundays Milwaukee Mile 225.
Savoree, however, says the issue is something the Indy Racing League has to deal with. 'We don't have an issue with Danica at all, She's a great young talent and she's proven it every weekend. But we've got some things to talk to the IRL about.'
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
I think the FHM pictures are over the top, but otherwise I do not think she has done anything too embarrassing. I do not know when they were taken, but I expect earlier in her career. I also am not sure how much we can blame her for how she is being marketed by the league.
I would have thought you would have liked the picture in post 9. :)
The Sports Illustrated swimwear models have about the same amount of clothing, if not more.
LOL!!!
I didn't see that picture the first time I read the article.
Either that picture is just very oddly framed or I am guessing that guy lost a bet.
Or... maybe he likes it.
Pissant enjoys that sort of thing from time to time.
LOL!!
Yes I do. I have yours picked out. ;o)
Let them look like her then! LOL
ping
Why should her, and by osmosis, her fans be given a convenience that isn't afforded the other drivers or fans?
Ummm, because she's the one that's putting fans in seats today ??? We can't have that now can we ?
So what is the big deal?
The big deal is, whether the drivers like it or not, the public is lining up to see her. She has given the IRL more positive PR in the last 8 weeks, than they have been able to generate on their own in the last 8 years. The last I knew, the fans were the ones that generated the money so these boys got to drive these cars in a sanctioned event. Lose the fans, lose the sponsors.
Yes, she's pretty, yes, they are pimping her, yes, they talk about her too much, and most importantly, yes, she's the one filling the stands right now. Do you want a paycheck, or your ego ?
Like it or not, she's doing all these boys a favor right now.
I agree with that. However, once a race begins, it's DANICA THIS! DANICA THAT! DANICA DANICA DANICA DANICA DANICA DANICA!
It's getting old.
Again, I don't disagree, but if my wallet was getting a little fatter each time they said that, I'd somehow learn to tune it out. As far as the fans go, when they get tired of hearing it, they will stop buying the tickets. Then this whole thing will be over.
Which may be sooner than you think if she doesn't win.
Let's face it folks. NASCAR is where the advertising big money is being spent on motorsports in the USA, and if we get successful drivers in Erin Crocker and Danica Patrick in Nextel (neé Sprint Cup) a few years from now, all the more better.
Andretti Green Racing decided to boycott and held their own autograph session at the team's merchandise trailer. It wasn't the separate lines that had team owners Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree fuming, it was the manner in which it was done. The drivers were not involved in the decision to boycott and, in fact, a meeting was held on Tuesday the 26th between AGR and the IRL to iron out the problem.
INDY RACING LEAGUE FINES ANDRETTI GREEN RACING FOR FAILURE TO REQUIRE AUTOGRAPH SESSION PARTICIPATION
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, July 28, 2005 -- The Indy Racing League fined the owners of IRL IndyCar® Series entrant Andretti Green Racing (AGR) an undisclosed amount for failing to require its drivers to participate in the mandatory autograph session on July 23 at The Milwaukee Mile.
AGR was penalized for violating Section 7.1 (B) of the IndyCar Series Rule Book (Additional Driver Activities) which states: "During events, IRL shall conduct Driver autograph sessions and Driver introductions. Failure to participate or failure to attend for the designated amount of time may result in fines and/or other penalties."
The fine was announced after IRL officials held face-to-face meetings with AGR earlier this week.
"The decision by the team principals not to have their drivers appear at the league-mandated autograph session is a very serious situation," said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the Indy Racing League. "I know that all of our teams, including AGR, understand that an important aspect of the League's identity is accessibility."
"Moving forward, the league will not hesitate to transition from fines to more severe penalties such as moving cars to the back of the field or even a deduction in championship points.
AGR may contest the imposition of the penalty pursuant to the protest and appeal procedures in the Rule Book. This may result in an increase, decrease or no change to the penalty.
You're thinking of the wrong series. IRL drivers are usually come from wealthy families and are well educated.
The problem is that the IRL is becoming a circus rather than a competition. The IRL is only series in the world where Danica could do well since every other series includes the driver's weight in the minimum weight of the car.
Even with this advantage and driving for a very strong team, she has still not won any races and rarely finishes in the top five.
The IRL has to be careful that they don't become the Danica Show. When the fans get tired of of Danica hype then where will the IRL be? (Granted the IRL wasn't on strong ground anyway.)
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