Danica Patrick's narrow window of opportunity to win a race has now been painted shut. With the IRL---CHAMP merger she has next to no chance of winning a race. She didn't come close to getting it done while driving for the IRL's best team, and racing against only sixteen other cars. She will be walking up a sand dune in ski boots now. Going against full fields of cars, and even more of the best road racers from CHAMP.
The few road courses on IRL's schedule were her best hope for a win. With the merger, there will be more road courses, but a lot more road race aces. This should insure that Patrick still won't get it done against the men. Not that her being a female has anything to do with it. Her talent just isn't at the same level as her car and team deserve. She must realize this, as she is keeping her other options open by posing in the S.I. swimsuit issue and shilling for Go Daddy.com. Good idea Danica, get it while you can. No matter how good you look, if you don't win even that gimmick gets old.
She races in the IRL for the top team, Andretti-Green, and still hasn't finished higher than 7th in the points standings. That was last year racing against maybe 13 other full time drivers. In 2007 she racked up four top fives and eleven top tens. Keep in mind that most races there were only sixteen other cars starting. A top ten out of seventeen cars is not that great. In '06 she was 9th in points, and 12th in 2005. She has done less in the last three years than Dale Earnhardt Jr., while getting his level of press in the IRL.
Of course the new management at IRL---CHAMP might decide it's good for TV ratings to have a woman winning races. That could really separate them from NASCAR. Of course I would never suggest that a major racing organization could help certain drivers and/or cars win races. No, I would never suggest that.
Hater!
I completely agree.
The next time she tries to start a fight after a race, I STILL pray some dude will put her over his knee. That'd be replayed on the NET forever.
Because she's a she, she receives the press. We all know it, yet the endorsements roll in.
You never know... There could be a big pile-up and only the cars running way in the back would survive and WALLA! We've got a winner! Then we'd be subjected to more than just anti-freeze commercials... Remember, when you Peak you win!
I can think of all sorts of companies that use sex appeal that would have a demand for her...
CJ - I have to disagree with you entirely. I have followed IRL/CART for over 20 years. I really do think she has that opportunity to win races. She is with one of the top teams. And, even though there will be more competition this year with the CCWS drivers who primarily excel at road coarses, that still gives her an edge at the ovals. I believe she can get the job done. Andretti Green wouldnt have her on the team otherwise.
Even though I like Danica, she is not the only driver I root for. Geez, I can't believe you are writing her off before the season even begins. Sorry but we ARE NOT on the same page on this topic at all.
husker.....you said it brother. If a man pulled the spoiled brat act, and put his hands on another driver as many times as she has, he would have been knocked on his #### long ago. That's what #### me off the most about her. She grabs, slaps, punches (alledgedly) other drivers with none of the consequences that a man would have.
For anyone who is interested here is a copy of a news release from Trackside Online, a subscription service for open wheel fans that my husband subscribes to. They keep you abreast of all the current happenings.
Courtesy IRL PR:
Indy Racing League Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tony George and Champ Car Co-Owner Kevin Kalkhoven will hold a press conference to discuss the details of the open-wheel racing unification agreement at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
MP3 AUDIO SOUNDBITES: Broadcast quality soundbites from the announcement will be available for download at www.indycar.com/media. Username: media, password: indycar.
Note: The announcement will be broadcast live on ESPNews and Speed Channel as well as streamed live on the web at www.indycar.com
The below announcements/media availabilities will take place immediately following the IndyCar Series press conference:
1:30 p.m. Panther Racing Primary Sponsorship Announcement
2 p.m. Helio Castroneves and Danica Patrick Media Availability
2:30 p.m. Sarah Fisher Press Conference, special guests Janet Guthrie and Lyn
St. James.
Copyright 2008 TrackSide Online. All Rights Reserved.
D-Man....is that you in the pic? Looking good Walking Eagle.
I know she's supposed to be sexy, but she doesn't do anything for me. I just can't take that attitude. Every time something happens (1) it's not her fault, and (2) It cost her the win. Danica....most of the time it IS your fault, and you actually have to be in postition to win to be robbed of the win.
Merger is happening this year. Three CHAMP CAR races to be added to sixteen IRL races.
Last edited by countryjag on February 26th at 9:01 PM.
Gerrel....always a pleasure to hear your thoughts. We will have to agree to disagree about Danica's talent. I don't think she is anywhere near the level of Tony, Dan, Helio, etc.
You think AGR would have her on the team if she wasn't sponsor bait? If her sponsors suddenly left the sport so would her ride with AGR.
I'm not writing her off before the season starts, I actually wrote her off about two years ago.
Thanks for the great info on the pressers tomorrow!
ricko....sorry dude. I don't know how. If you, or anyone else, wants to send me the instructions at my foxmail I would appreciate it. And, I'll go back and insert some Danica pics.
CJ- Ahhh, but we do agree on something. While I do believe that Danica can win races, I wouldn't put her talents at the equivelent of Kanaan, Wheldon or Castroneves. All of whom I love to root for also.
I hadnt thought of her as sponsor bait. Maybe because I am a woman too. But I would concede that almost ANY driver, male or female without sponsorship in the series is at a disadvantage in retaining a ride anywhere.
I would hedge a bet that you do not have any Danica souvenirs at your house? I would be glad to loan you my Danica T-shirt at the Indy 500, I still would have a Danica hat to wear, lol.
Last edited by Gerrel on February 26th at 10:14 PM.
Hey dont pic at Danica..She is from my area of northern illinois..O.K. I agree she needs to get a win, and with the merger it will be alot harder. Can she do it? Maybe. If she doesnt will they keep her? Yes she is like Jr. to Hendrick..A cash cow. Jr. is not as good as Kyle Busch..Yet Rick got rid of him for the $$$. Danica as long as she is competitive and doesnt look like a back marker will have a ride for a while...Jag as always GREAT post.
countryjag
At this juncture it wouldn't matter to me if she were compeitive or not. She's the IRL's answer to Michelle Wie. All hype and there seems to be very little of substance by way of on track success. But as long as she's doin' those spreads for Maxim and FHM what the hell do I care ?
cj...Hmmmmm...I'm on the fence about this. Personally, I think she's great PR for the IRL because there are those who want her to win one (albeit very few) and those who want her to just sit down and shut up. She's talented, but let's be honest, she hasn't won anything....oh wait...she's a cash cow for Madison Avenue. If she wins a race, I'm not sure that will change a lot of perceptions about her. The argument that she won because of her weight will rear it's ugly head.
top.....All true al. Check out the S.I. swimsuit issue. She wants to be taken seriously as an athlete, then she poses like that. I know Sharpova did it, but Sharpova at least had won something
Last edited by countryjag on February 27th at 12:31 PM.
Lisa....thanks for the comments. I see you've been going toe to toe with the Jr fans lately. This is sort of the same, yet different. They both are overrated cash cows, but at least Jr has won several races in the big leagues.
CJ,
Well you and I usually agree but not this time. I've watched Danica since before she was even a teenager and I've always admired her spunk. I saw her going at a competitor as they came off the track after a race when she was 12 much the way Kurt went after Tony BUT once the karts were parked she wailed into the poor kid. She must have been about 4' 6" or shorter at the time and couldn't have weighed 90 lbs. but she had a lot of PASSION to go with her incredible talent even at that age. Now I agree she isn't as good as Tony K. or Helio but I think she has enough talent to win a race. I also think Jr. is definitely one of the top ten drivers in Cup so I guess I believe they are both way under-rated. Guess we'll know a lot more by the end of this season on both counts.
hooks....NASCAR could happen. Money makes the world go round. I also could see her on 'The Surreal Life' in five years. Thanks for checking out the blog.
HR13....I agree that she has talent and passion. She certainly has the will to win. I just think there are too many other drivers with more talent. I'll give you that she has enough talent to win a race. Hell, Brian Vickers and Casey Mears managed to win A race while driving for the top team in NASCAR.
I also agree that Jr is a top ten driver in NASCAR. How about instead of overrated, I say they are both WAY over-hyped?
Hey, we can't agree on everything. Folks will think we're getting soft.
countryjag
Hearing Danica Patrick whine about not being treated fairly is one thing. But it's like we've said before until she wins something she'll just be another 'run of the mill driver' running in IRL for what it's worth.
The expose's in Maxim and FHM may well make her and the majority of males feel good. And I've got to admit I ain't gonna bash her for that. What guy doesn't want to see a female bare her all ? If it's a choice between her and Rosie O'Donnell then it's got to be Danica Patrick hands down !
Woman hater, ! This is nonsesne, there is no evidence statistically or anecdotal to suggest one way or the others. Both forms of racing have pathetic drivers and also rans, Danika is not an also ran.
Given equal opportunity, no matter the field, she will prevail.
This argument is about is nonsense as saying Nigel mansell had no chance to win a race becasue he came from Formula One into the Indycart series.
Drivers adapt, there is No reason to suggest that under a new format Danika might actually be better.
Hotblonde'
What you've alluded to is all true but Patrick has whined away and crys as if she's not getting any respect. One earns respect by showing respect and not berating others.
That's something that no one has seemingly been willing to state.
I'm calling it the way I for one see it !
HBM.....No need for name calling, sir. Danica has been given equal opportunity. She has driven for the #1 team in IRL for the last two years, and hasn't come close to a win.
You clearly know nothing about auto racing. So why don't you go photoshop some more pictures, and prepare your next soccer blog for all the droolers who actually believe your act.
I don't buy the "given the equipment" since you do sometimes get the chance to show what you've got in 'strange' races (big crash that takes out the front runners, fuel mileage, etc) with a rubbish car. Dixon won third time out in the old CART series....for a team that was seriously in decline (Pacwest).
After going all last season without a win for the best team in the business....well, let's just say that she pretty much has to win this year and leave it at that *shrugs*
Last edited by Tezgm99 on February 27th at 9:44 PM.
Countryjag, I stand corrected. I thought it was going to be 2009. It's going to be much more difficult for Danica to win now, considering the infusion of talent coming from Champ Car.
I think the merger is great news for open wheel racing, and for racing fans in general. Now if they can market themselves in a similar manner as NASCAR, I see open wheel racing becoming more popular than in recent years.
Overall, great post. Great exposure of the hype that is Danica Patrick.
CJ,
Great answer to HBM. She is first, not a hot blonde milf so her screen name alone is false advertising and second, she must be a real embarassment to her kids, and third, who is this Danika she was referencing. She not only knows little about racing but manages to know little about almost everything she writes. My wife read one of her blogs and couldn't believe what a total waste of her time it was. I just never read her stuff but suggest she change her screen name to average blonde airhead.
HR...Yeah that GUY really scorches my biscuits. Ask your wife to read another of hbm's posts and see if your wife thinks hbm is a he. I do. He needs to stick to soccer, although based on the level of intelligence of his comment on my post, I doubt he knows much about that either.
I think it's safe to say whoever started it, does not know what they are talking about. Since she has now won a race, maybe you should write another blog to prove opinions are truly like a--holes. You people can't do what she is doing, so all you can do is write about people with your stupid opinions. So Jag, go JAG OFF.
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