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4/20/08

Danica Patrick > Anna Kournikova

IndyCar, Danica Patrick

gearhead

more posts by author

It happened right before midnight on the East coast on ESPN Classic half way around the world, but it has happened.

Danica Patrick has won an IndyCar Series race.

Danica took the Indy Japan 300 on fuel strategy by topping up during the final caution, along with two other drivers. The rest of the field had to pit before the end, and soon it was between her and Helio Castroneves. Danica saved fuel better though, and blew by Helio with 2 laps to go. She only led 2 laps, but they were the most important two of all.

Obviously, the comparisons to Anna Kournikova are over. She's no longer the most overhyped athlete in sports, and of course, how big is this for the IndyCar Series? I know one thing. I'm glad I already have my tickets and hotel reservations for the Indy 500, because the excitement for this year's running, already huge with unification, has just hit a new high.

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440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-1

sportsmammal wrote:

She is still over hyped and over rated. One win does not make her a success. Dale Jr. is also over hyped as a NASCAR driver. The hype Danica has gotten and is still getting is ridiculous. In pro sports the bottom line is wins and losses.

Not everyone can win right off the bat, and if 17 wins is overrated, there's a slight problem.

440 days ago

Scott Senay

VOTE:

-0

It was only a matter of time. Anyone that knows racing could see she had the talent. She finally caught the breaks that every driver needs to get the win.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

Scott Senay wrote:

It was only a matter of time. Anyone that knows racing could see she had the talent. She finally caught the breaks that every driver needs to get the win.

Pretty much. Plus no mental mistakes, and a fantastic endgame strategy by both team and driver.

440 days ago

Scott Senay

VOTE:

-0

As long as we can finally put to rest the myth that looks are greater than talent.

440 days ago

isucubs

VOTE:

-0

Scott Senay wrote:

As long as we can finally put to rest the myth that looks are greater than talent.

except in her case, we can argue, her looks are at a greater level than her talent.. she is very possibly the best looking IRL racer in history and some have argued one of the best looking female athletes today period.. haven't heard too many say her talent is the greatest in history.

but I am very happy she won.

440 days ago

kantwistaye

VOTE:

-0

The IRL has to be a little disappointed that this happened in Japan, but then again they'll also be able to hype this win for a month up until the Indy 500. Congrats to Danica for getting the monkey off of her back.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

kantwistaye wrote:

Trust me, no disappointment. This adds hype to Kansas and Indy, and Danica led Sportscenter on the first day of the NBA Playoffs. Seems like a fair trade-off.

This is really shaping up to be a special season. First unification, then Graham Rahal wins, and now Danica.

440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-1

I really wish I could've seen this. Congrats to Danica, a well-earned victory after so many heartbreaks. I'm glad to see she finally did it, and as Scott said, it was only a matter of time.

440 days ago

staffbb43

VOTE:

-0

and now i can't watch espn for 5 months, cause that's all they'll talk about

can't believe that's what they led off with, with all the great playoff basketball and hockey

screw you espn, once again

440 days ago

walkers1913

VOTE:

-0

Awesome, way to go Danica.

440 days ago

shazbot50

VOTE:

-0

It's about time, girlfriend! Congratulations! Keep it up!

440 days ago

Raven73

VOTE:

-0

Awesome win for Danica! If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand!

440 days ago

sportsmammal

VOTE:

-0

440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-1

sportsmammal wrote:

Not everyone can win right off the bat, and if 17 wins is overrated, there's a slight problem.

440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-1

RenegadeLG wrote:

She's overrated because she is a she. I wish there was less focus on women trying to prove they can do what men do and more on getting African-Americans into these predominantly white racing circuits.

I'd like to see both the women and the African-Americans succeed. The NASCAR driver with the best shot never made it unfortunately, Bill Lester. I would've liked to see him do much better than he did, but he could never catch a break. :/

440 days ago

Raven73

VOTE:

-0

kramer wrote:

The good thing is that Bill never let it get him down. He is now racing in the Rolex Series. Bill Lester says he like "sports cars" better. I'm a huge fan of his...I need to write a blog about him! Sorry to crash the Danica blog...

440 days ago

Sporz_Freek

VOTE:

-0

(Edited 04/20/08 7:33PM by Sporz_Freek)

Anyone who says Danica lacks the talent is a frackin idiot or a male chauvinist. She has earned her way to where she is now. AGR didn't hire her because she was a woman. She was hired because of her ability to handle an IRL car. Michael knew a winner when he saw one. Big time congrats Danica!

440 days ago

Sporz_Freek

VOTE:

-0

RenegadeLG wrote:

I gave you a thumbs up because of the African-American part of your second sentence. I don't agree with any other part of the post. I thought that I should clarify my postion.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

RenegadeLG wrote:

I'll definitely agree to that. It's not like tennis where you can fool your way onto the tour. It takes a special breed of human to be able to handle one of those deathboxes at 200+ MPH. For that reason it's almost sexist to give her so much attention. ESPN patronizes her when I'm sure she herself would rather just be treated as another driver.

I've said since Danica-Mania started three years ago that the IndyCar Series should be using her to promote the other drivers: Dixon, Wheldon, Kanaan, pre-DWTS Helio, etc. Of course, they blew it. This is their second chance. Hopefully they don't blow it again.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

RenegadeLG wrote:

Well it's pretty damn undeniable. You think ESPN is covering a lower-level driver, or covering the IRL at all without a semi-attractive American woman on board? Hell to the no-ee-o.

Obviously not, but the hope is at some point the series could get itself to the point where it can get coverage without Danica, because she won't be around forever.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

RenegadeLG wrote:

There are some great personalities on board. If stuck up dull golfers can get coverage, why not these guys?

You're preaching to the choir on that one.

440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-0

Just the names Rahal and Andretti should increase the sport's popularity, but I can pretty much guess it won't make the slightest bit of difference.

440 days ago

isucubs

VOTE:

-0

Sporz_Freek wrote:

compared to the mass of humanity, hell yeah she has a ton of talent.. but then again, the average guy on the NBA bench can beat 99.99% of the people on the planet in 1-on-1 but we still say they are not very talented because the standard they are held to is the level they compete at. but the issue is whether she has the best talent at the level she is competing at..

and judging by results, she is not.. and yet she gets the most attention and by the standards of the majority of the fans, she would be considered the most attractive racer on the circuit..

so no, she is not the best talent.. she is just the best looking and the one people are the most interested in.. and to some degree, that is based on her superior looks..

hey, I am thrilled she won.. I also like her commercials and think she is very attractive... but she is currently only an above average member of her circuit talent wise but gets the attention and credit of a legend.. she is not the best racer on her team. but she gets superstar attention.

but much credit to danica.. and her team for their great strategy and equipment. I hope this is an argument we get to have several more times after each of her wins :)

I would love nothing better in terms of IRL than to see her raise her level and become the superstar on the track that everyone wants to make her off-track.

go danica !

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

kramer wrote:

Just the names Rahal and Andretti should increase the sport's popularity, but I can pretty much guess it won't make the slightest bit of difference.

Hmmm...why do my corn flakes suddenly taste like piss?

It's a long rebuilding process. The foundations is being laid now. Let's see what happens 2-3, or even 5 years from now before making any pronouncements on the vitality of the series.

440 days ago

kramer

VOTE:

-0

gearhead wrote:

I'm not trying to downplay the IRL at all. It's just unfortunate that unless it's the Indy 500, most people in America don't pay attention to indy car racing. It's been that way for years. I hope that does change, but I don't think it will. I hope I'm wrong.

440 days ago

gearhead

VOTE:

-0

kramer wrote:

I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a lost cause yet. Admittedly, it was probably very close. Another year of two series might have done it. However, the pieces are starting to be put in place for the comeback. They need to be realistic about it (i.e. don't even think about trying to compete with NASCAR any time soon), but things are looking up, enough that the patient isn't dead yet.

440 days ago

JrCanuckFan

VOTE:

-0

kramer wrote:

It's great that it is IRL again. I've been watching Indy car for years, but with the split it became a chore. The races were too short, the cars too fragile. The merger and Danica has brought attention to the sport again. If the Indy 500 does well performance and ratings wise, I think people WILL pay attention again. But yes, one can only hope.

438 days ago