Robbie Gordon of NASCAR Will Not Drive IRL Races Against Danica Patrick, Citing Weight Advantage

National Review Magazine: The Corner ^ | 6/1/05 | KJ Lopez

[gopwinsin04]

Robbie Gordon of NASCAR started the discussion, saying that he wouldn't drive in the Indy Car Racing League series until they do something about Danica Patrick's weight 'advantage.'

'The lighter the car, the faster it goes,' Gordon said. 'Do the math. Put her in the car at her weight, then put me or Tony Stewart in the car at 200 pounds and our cars are at least 100 pounds heavier.'

'I wont race against her until the IRL does something to take that advantage away.'

I glanced at the weight of the weight of the drivers in the Indy Car Series. They are pretty much smallish guys --between 140 and 155 lbs.

He seems to be willing to race against guys who are about 60 pounds less and had no problem with it before.

[steve-b]

I wont race against her until the IRL does something to take that advantage away.

Maybe the IRL can give him some diet and exercise tips.

[discostu]

But cars have less change because they way less, remember your average high performance motorcycle ways less than the combined weight of the tires on a race car. And car engines are much bigger with more general power, 5 pounds just isn't going to make the same difference because it's a much lower percentage of the overall weight.

And in car racing today stability is a bigger factor than almost everything else, race car engines these days are able to out perform the vehicle's ability to stay on the ground and remained controlled. And in that factor a little extra weight is good for you, that means increased ground force and a higher safe speed in the corners.