[Danica] Patrick runs right over doubts about women racers

NJOnline ^ | January 28, 2006 | KEN WILLIS

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Dont know if you use your ping list for this type of racing or not, but thought I'd flag you to it.

[G.Mason]

Can midget racing be far behind?

Oh ... wait, I think I have seen ...

[goldstategop]

She's quite good and doesn't demand special treatment. In fact it was the men who ended up demanding special treatment because their fragile male egos couldn't take being beaten in their own sport by a woman!

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Condor51]

It's my understanding that the major complaint against her driving is that she never turns her blinker off -- which can be veeeeeery irritating after 500 miles.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Can midget racing be far behind?

Funny you should say that.
One of the biggest beefs among other Indy drivers is her weight, (less than 100lbs), Indy rules mandate a minimum car weight excluding the driver which gives her an average weight advantage of about 60 to 75 lbs.

The experts claim that such a weight advantage with all things being equal would result in 1/40th of a second gain per lap.

I know it doesn't sound like much but in a 250 lap race, it translates into a pretty hefty handicap for heavier drivers.

[MikefromOhio]

she weighs more than 100 lbs.....

[wolfpat]

The reason Guthrie didn't get any praise for her racing is that she didn't specifically want to race; She wanted to be a woman in a man's sport.

Patrick wants to race.

(P.S. Guthrie also tried to rub everybody's nose in it by driving a green car. That was considered bad luck at that time.)

[Bender2]

Re: The experts claim that such a weight advantage with all things being equal would result in 1/40th of a second gain per lap. I know it doesn't sound like much but in a 250 lap race, it translates into a pretty hefty handicap for heavier drivers.

Whew! Don't know if I could last through 250 laps dances with her. I'd surely blow a gasket!

[RandallFlagg]

Maybe 105. Let's assist others with a visual aid.....

(Just helping out whoever's here for the pics)

[HEY4QDEMS]

Her Bio has her listed at 100 even, she weighed in less than that at last years Indy 500.

[Man50D]

How many races has she won? That point wasn't addressed in the article. Her star will begin to fade if she doesn't win at least one race in the near future.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Her star will begin to fade if she doesn't win at least one race in the near future

Perhaps you should look at the picture in post #10 and reconsider.

[sgtbono2002]

She has been racing something since she started walking. Sure she can drive. Not hard to look at either. Now if the press would just let up on her.

[sausageseller]

When Danica can back up her racing with some WINS then she has overcame the " doubts about women racers". Until then she is just another pretty girl who can drive a fast car!

[John W]

"Until then she is just another pretty girl who can drive a fast car!"

Not that theres anything wrong with that.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Until then she is just another pretty girl who can drive a fast car!

Damn! I going shopping for a fast car today!! and a Beatles album.
Baby you can drive my car.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

She's quite good and doesn't demand special treatment. In fact it was the men who ended up demanding special treatment because their fragile male egos couldn't take being beaten in their own sport by a woman!

Not so sure about that. The interviews I have watched with her, she says she gets equal treatment.

The reason I like her is she has rejected all attempts to be stereotyped as a feminist, or racing "because I am out to prove a point", and the like. She doesn't have a bitter chip on her shoulder or agenda. She's likes to drive and race, period.

It will be interesting how she fairs tonight. Amazing that a 100lb person will be able to hold up for the length of time they drive, the course is much different than what she drives normally and one other thing is dehydration (easier for a 100lb person?). I 'd love to be there tonight and had chance for free entry but am getting over a nasty cold.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Feh. If Tonia Stewart can do it, she can. (GO GORDON!) LOL

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Yea, right - "She drives a car? Really?"