Most recently, the "feisty" Danica Patrick and former IRL champion Dan Wheldon got into a minor altercation off the track during post-race activities at Milwaukee.  I know what you're thinking, Milwaukee has a race track? 

All across sports radio and message boards; the minor shove given off by Danica to Dan was a staple in most auto racing - themed message board.  Really it's an interesting scenario once you think about it.  Patrick and Wheldon are two of the only recognizable (with respect to Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti) drivers in the IRL. 

On one side you have Danica Patrick.  Danica is the "beautiful, delicate, feisty" driver who most women and younger males watch while Dan is a "good-looking, young, conservative" driver who most males and younger femals watch the sport for.  Danica was in that provocative FHM photo shoot and Wheldon has graced the cover of GQ.  You would think that both of them would be too scared to get into a confrontation.

Think again.

The real accident occured early in the race when Danica was in the right place at the right time in terms of moving through the field.  She was battling for fourth when she stayed where she was and Wheldon (who was up high on the track) came down into the turn.  They touched and Patrick goes off course.  That is a frustrating incident, but it was a racing incident.  Wheldon could've stayed up but due to the lack of tire rubber on the high lane, he could've easily wrecked into the wall.  Patrick, could've moved down the track" but then would've risked losing momentum.  It was a Catch-22.  NO ONE was at fault.

After some "threats" directed to Wheldon over the radio, Patrick coasted into 8th and Wheldon secured another top-5. 

The real drama came later.

While doing post-race interviews, Wheldon was grabbed by Patrick and given a slight push after she essentially said "YOUR MOM!" and stormed away complaining to high heavens.  Wheldon, in probably one of the most comedic interviews, essentially called Danica a mediocre talent.

I can definitely agree with that statement.  Please excuse me if I go off-course, but Danica is an average race car driver.  She's not the special one that will bust down barriers and in fact, is more of a whiner than a winner.  We've seen her push Jacques Lazier, stomp her feet and throwing a hissy fit like a 5-year old who didn't get the last Oreo and now this.  When Rahal - Letterman was at its peak in her rookie season (keep in mind that teammate Buddy Rice nearly won the championship the year before), Danica essentially was an average driver who finished in the bottom half of the standings (in terms of full-time drivers).  But after a mediocre season for a "savior", she moved on to arguably the top team in the Indy Racing League; Andretti-Green Racing.  She was expected to compete immediately, but has been her regular self as of late still.  Marco Andretti has already been to victory lane in his career while Patrick has not.  Due to pit strategy, she nearly had a shot at leading the Indy 500 but went on to finish 8th.  Again, average driver. 

Back to the story, Patrick would then complain about how Wheldon deserves punishment for a racing incident.  I can understand the frustration but c'mon!  Stop complaining!  You both were not at fault, like the saying goes "--it Happens". 

Wheldon should not have said what he said, either.  He really should've just kept his mouth shout or just said the second part of his statement "She picked the wrong person to be feisty, too" and that would've been fine.  Now if Danny Patrick were to hit him, that would be an immediate fine on the spot.

After the subsquent interview saga, sports radio and message boards were flooded with this topic.  Most took the side of Danica by saying one-liners such as "IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S A WOMAN THAT WHELDON IS MEAN!!!" and "DAN WHELDON IS A PANSY!".  I even heard one radio host say that it was gender-based that Wheldon felt the need to come down on her.  Why would Wheldon risk his car like that?  Hell, why would Wheldon (a champion and Indy 500 champion) even need to prove anything! 

Now this is where the title comes in.  I'm 100% certain that most fans are just trying to be politically correct when it comes to this.  Danica is "feisty" but Dan is a "pansy".  Danica continues to take advantage of her gender by skirting away with no fines or even a meaningless probation.  She hasn't won a race in the "Minor Leagues of the IRL" in the Toyota Atlantic so now she's pushing 5-6 seasons without a win.  All of her wins?  They were in go-karts. 

Also, please understand this.  I'm not a sexist.  In fact, Sarah Fisher is probably one of the most talented IRL Drivers in the sport.  She's marketable, pretty and has enjoyed success (she finished 2nd once---Danica's best?  4th) in the IRL.  Milka Duno may be a threat if she gets some IRL experience.  But keep an eye out on Katherine Legge.  She's a winner (I BELIEVE) on the Champ Car Series and I sense an eventual move to the IRL in her future.  Legge will win a race and I'll be the first one to cheer for her once it happens.  Danica races hard, you have to like that, but she also has to realize there is 18-19 more drivers who race just as hard (or harder) than her. 

Comments Appreciated.

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