Fan favorite Patrick out early in Honda GP after crash with rookie Matos [IRL season starts]

ChicagoTribune/AP ^ | April 5, 2009 | MIKE HARRIS

[valkyry1]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Danica Patrick's season got off to a tough start after she crashed out early in the season-opening Honda Grand Prix.

She was running ninth in the 22-car field on Sunday when rookie Raphael Matos tried to pass as the two went into one of the tightest turns on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit.

[valkyry1]

IRL season started Sunday 04-05-2009 at St. Petersburg. Danica grabs most of the media attention again.

She starts out back in the pack, and while at 9nth place & lap 31 rookie Raphael Matos tries to pass her while coming into a fast chicane and they both crash into the tires, putting her and Matos out of the race.

[valkyry1]

Here is the vid

http://larrybrownsports.com/car-racing/video-danica-patrick-rafael-matos-crash-honda-grand-prix/6383

[valkyry1]

Ryan Briscoe, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Justin Wilson take the 1st 2nd and 3d places.

Ryan Hunter-Reay might be a guy to watch this season.

[Big_Monkey]

Never in the history of motor sports has so much been made of someone who's accomplished so little, all in the name of diversity.

[GreatDaggar]

[valkyry1]

Yeppr

[valkyry1]

I’d hit it, LOL

[FlingWingFlyer]

I agree. She’s not popular because of anything to do with racing.

[Big_Monkey]

My biggest problem with her is her theatrics. Maybe it works for Tony Stewart, Tony Kannan or Kurt Bush, but it doesn't work for someone who has just one measly win in 65(ish) starts.

One of these days, she's going to get in the grill of the wrong guy, who's in the wrong mood and she's going to jacked. I hope it's caught on film.

[justlurking]

I see her tattoo has been airbrushed out.

You can see it here:

http://www.gunaxin.com/danica-patrick-tattoo-update/12761

[FlingWingFlyer]

Agree.

[llevrok]

Ok, before some one gets killed, get her off the track.

[prismsinc]

That’s totally untrue. She’s made many contributions to the sport. She’s made history on many occasions.

You obvioulsy don’t know IRL racing.

[Isabel C.]

I’d hit it, LOL

In your dreams, LOL

[Big_Monkey]

"She’s made history on many occasions.

Answer me one question: Has she made any history in the sport that doesn't include the words "first woman"?

I've been a motor-sports fan since I can remember. I went to my first Daytona 500 at the age of 3. And, I've been to over a dozen since and countless NASCAR, American Le Mans and even a few F1 races. Danica Patrick doesn't impress me as a driver. She has a short fuse and a long list of excuses - not a good combination.

[Constitution Day]

You are SPOT ON. Thanks!

[prismsinc]

It's a man's sport. You'd seriously deny her that which she rightfully earned because she's a woman?

This ain't basketball. Her life's on the line like every other driver. Did you already forget she lost her teammate in a vicious crash at Homestead, Paul Dana? You say you're a race fan, but you don't sound like one.

If you're such an avid race fan, you'd appreciate what she's accomplished, not diminish it. It's chauvanistic, and I sense a bit of jealousy in your words.

[Big_Monkey]

"If you're such an avid race fan, you'd appreciate what she's accomplished

So, I take it by your answer, you couldn't come up with anything that doesn't include the word "woman" in it? I judge people, but especially athletes, by what they've accomplished - not by who they are.

She's only had ONE win in over 65 starts - that's NOT setting the house on fire. I'm not exactly sure what her per-lap incident is, but I'm guessing that it's significant. She's stalled coming out of the pits in critical times of the race a number of times.

And, she proudly proclaims she has no idea how the cars work and doesn't want to learn. GREAT drivers know EXACTLY how the cars work and it's that insight that allows them to communicate with the chief engineer or crew chief what's wrong with the set-up.

Maybe I'm not the one who doesn't know anything about motor sports.

[valkyry1]

Well okay then. Just what has she accomplished that is so outstanding in the racing world. Almost every race last year she would place fairly well in the qualifying, then drop back during the race.

[Electric Graffiti]

"She has a short fuse and a long list of excuses - not a good combination."

A girl named Dan......Daddy's little girl?