Wow, what a way to instult Patrick's win

[Maxstyle]

This guy just turns her win into a lucky break. OUCH!

By Bob Margolis, Yahoo! Sports

Danica Patrick’s first IndyCar win in the Japan 300 was more a triumph in public relations than auto racing.

It didn’t happen as the result of a final lap, wheel-to-wheel battle, one that many close observers of the sport feel she will never win.

It instead was more a battle between the race engineer’s computers on the Andretti Green team and that of her rival Helio Castroneves’ Penske Racing team. It was a matter of who would get the best fuel mileage in the final handful of laps of the 200-lap race.

Both drivers had made their final pit stop on Lap 148, and when race leader Scott Dixon was forced onto pit road for a final splash of fuel, it became an opportunity for both Patrick and Castroneves to win – in a fuel mileage battle.

Castroneves is the IRL points leader and was racing with that in mind. Instead of gambling on running out of fuel or making a pit stop which would have had him finishing farther back in the field and scoring fewer points, Castroneves instead lifted his foot off of his gas pedal just enough to save fuel and reward Patrick with the victory.

The win was the result of a well-calculated move – pure and simple.

However, to her and her team’s credit, a win is a win no matter how you get it. And Patrick did execute the team’s strategy perfectly.

In a moment of postrace enthusiasm, team owner Michael Andretti, himself a winner in several fuel mileage battles over his illustrious career, referred to Patrick’s win as being the first of many.

Perhaps. Or maybe it will prove to be nothing more than an anomaly.

Patrick’s win came against a shrunken field of competitors, one which was devoid of the last two series champions (who both left the open wheel series to race in NASCAR), not to mention lacking any of the Champ Car drivers, who were in Long Beach, Calif., competing in Sunday’s finale for that series before the two – IRL and Champ Car – unite for good.

Only 18 cars took the green flag in Japan – six to eight fewer than will be competing when the two series are reunited at Kansas Speedway next weekend – and just seven were running on the lead lap at the checkered flag.

Despite her having only won in go-karts and not while driving in a professional auto race, Patrick has been able to command a legion of fans, perhaps for no reason other than she is a woman participating in what most regard as a man’s sport.

And after tiring of fending off questions about when she would win, she distracted her detractors by posing in swimsuits and making suggestive ads for her sponsors.

Patrick’s victory may temporarily quiet her critics, and likely will help draw much-needed attention to a sport that at one time in its history was more popular than NASCAR and didn’t have to rely on a pretty face to garner headlines or cash in on the notoriety of a driver who is known more for winning a dancing contest on television than his two Indy 500 wins (see Helio Castroneves).

To her credit, Patrick remains a model for young women everywhere. It may be a model of how persistence, a pretty face and the willingness to take the heat can pay off in the end.

Her skills and courage behind the wheel of an Indy car is not in question. It takes considerable amounts of both to enter Turn 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with your foot to the floor.

And cast no doubts about it. Her victory is the first ever by a woman in Indy cars.

For now, Patrick’s lone victory is more a marketing executive’s dream. She can now be identified in her product endorsements as IndyCar “race winner” Danica Patrick instead of just Indy car driver.

In some ways, the pressure is off. Now Patrick can focus on scoring a more “traditional” victory and establishing herself as one of the series’ top drivers.

And if Andretti is correct, and this is her first of many victories, then her impact on the sport could be historic – especially if she can duplicate it in the Indy 500, when actual open eyes will be watching, not just the bloodshot ones that witnessed her graveyard hour win in Japan.

Until then, this win leaves itself subject to scrutiny.

[racepar1]

Luck means nothing if you are not prepared to accept the opportunity. She won the race because she was in the right position to win it, PERIOD! I wish I could neg rep this guy, with a telephone book! LOL! I have a lot of respect for Danica. She is hands down the best woman driver that I have ever seen or heard about. Not to mention HOTTTTT!

[azndoc]

Like a movie most of you will remember.

"Ask any racer, any real racer. It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile; winning's winning." -Dom

Sorry I had to.

[S14DB]

What do you expect from a NASCAR commentator?

[Rnz520]

while its true that she is hyped and overrated, that was uncalled for

[genericforumname]

I don't think that this was written to be nearly as hate filled as you people are assuming. its just like nintendo fanboys crying foul when you say the wii sucks, they're not seeing the real argument behind it. the writer says that "a win is a win" just read this (taken directly from that text)

The win was the result of a well-calculated move – pure and simple.

However, to her and her team’s credit, a win is a win no matter how you get it. And Patrick did execute the team’s strategy perfectly.

and again here

Her skills and courage behind the wheel of an Indy car is not in question. It takes considerable amounts of both to enter Turn 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with your foot to the floor.

And cast no doubts about it. Her victory is the first ever by a woman in Indy cars.

and then this part here

And if Andretti is correct, and this is her first of many victories, then her impact on the sport could be historic – especially if she can duplicate it in the Indy 500, when actual open eyes will be watching, not just the bloodshot ones that witnessed her graveyard hour win in Japan.

the only criticisms he brings up are all legitimate ones, she was racing against a smaller field of drivers and she did win primarily because of her teams strategy, not necessarily on pure skill. I think hes just being (gasp) objectionable, as so few people are today.

p.s. on the subject of her "hotness" I will leave you with a quote from Daniel Tosh (regarding Danica Patrick ironically) "I'm tired of the media making female athletes into super models when they are clearly 6's at best"
(shes not hot)

[kognition]

People just don't know how much work goes into a team simply finishing a race.. let alone winning one.
LUCK= Laboring Under Correct Knowledge
Danica Patrick= Smokin fast hottie with skills

[dtc 360RT]

stratagy...plain and simple unlike dixon who lead most of it and lost it due to poor fuel strategy. castroneves was right there but seemed to let her by? was on the same fuel stops but maybe was getting worse mpg? just seemed like he let off and she flew by....


btw.........hotness, unless.......you dont like girls.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z209/lbadrian/Danica20Patrick-thumb.jpg

[Rnz520]

She looks great with make up and on photoshoots, but see her when she is not and its a different person.

[Rob's S14]

^^ I was thinking the exact same thing. I think she gets more props for her looks to because if you compare her to other women drivers she blows them away. It would be like having a girl that is like a 6 or 7 play in the nba. She would look like a 10 because she's surrounded by 3's.

[MaD1337M3DRiV3r]

+1 for photoshop, i'd still hit it


http://wizbangblog.com/archives/danica_patrick.jpg

[spool_sample]

Meh.

Katherine Legge > Danica Patrick, IMO.

[IIIXziuR]

she was cooler when she hosted the Power Block on Spike TV

[Rob's S14]

haha..yeah I remember those days.

meh to both of em though.

[ripnbst]

A win is a win, That guy needs to chill the fuck out. Pitstops and engineering is part of racing, so dumb to discount her win like no one else has engineers making descisions for them behind the scenes.

[genericforumname]

he didn't discount her win, you should actually read with you eyes and not just what you want to, he said himself A WIN IS A WIN, seriously, no wonder americans cant read for shit, you just all see what you want to.

his exact words (copied from the story)
However, to her and her team’s credit, a win is a win no matter how you get it. And Patrick did execute the team’s strategy perfectly.

p.s., she looks nowhere near that good in person, there was a dedicated professional you took the time to MAKE her look that good, you're just being blinded by her fame. (and the fact that she has a vagina)

[racepar1]

Anyone who says that Danica is overrated is a complete fucking moron! You don't win any professional motorsports event on strategy alone, it always takes an exceptional driver. Danica IS an exceptional driver, especially for a woman. Any attempt to undermine her level of skill is absolutely unacceptable, even if the person who is undermining her gives her just a hint of credit. And to all of you who think that Danica is not hot I would love to see what your girl looks like. Most likely a trainwreck in comparison.

[johngriff]

No he was clearly discounting her win. Double talk through the whole article.

Its like me walking up to you and saying, "boy your mom sure is ugly, but she cooks a really mean pie, and in the end thats all that matters"

Insult + a compliment through the whole article. Guy writing the article is just an asshat.

[illvialuver]

to quote dave chappele as rick james " that was Coooooolllld bloooded"
but somehow made sense, but i do agree that a win is a win, and she was just in the right place at the right time, and she made key decisions to lead up to her not having to ease of the throttle, but if what he says is true that Helio is a pretty smart guy. look at Tanner Foust, winner of last years formula d series with only one first place finish.

and I will agree with the not looking so good in person. she looks like your average ass white girl in middle america. well average attractive girl. but when you put it in perspective I dont think you will see any other "formula un" drivers in bikinis.

[Phatz]

Meh.

Katherine Legge > Danica Patrick, IMO.

You're crazy! That chick is bam compared to Diana! "While i don't agree with your opinion, sir, I will fight to the death your right to express it!" -PG haha

[S14DB]

You're crazy! That chick is bam compared to Diana! "While i don't agree with your opinion, sir, I will fight to the death your right to express it!" -PG haha

We looking at the same chicks?

http://www.gokatherine.com/pictures/large/429272.jpg

[darkevildrifter]

What do you expect from a NASCAR commentator?
more wwf ...nascar is a joke now for rednecks...drivers trying to be all hard and yelling at each other ....nascar is just trying to get ratings...she won ..maybe that dude is just mad cus she drives and he has to sai ton his ass and talk about her maybe hes jealous of her

[infinitexsound]

um a win is a win regardless, but helio thought she was a lap down... his team should of been on it with the lappers.. so he let her slip by... but a win is a win regardless racing is all strategy, its true tho the grid wasn't fully filled.. i think the outcome would of been different for sure if they were all in motegi...that race weekend was a good time for motorsports... the better one to watch was ALMS LMP class... between audi porsche and acura.... audi did good @ long beach

im only watching nascar till toyota wins a championship... thats all i really give a fuck about it... all that fucken hype about montoya was a joke and all those open wheel drivers...scott speed is looking best, since hes a front runner...

the nice thing about nascar is that the current car evens the playing field for all the teams and manufacture's...

Danica Patrick is pretty nice on the eyes... and she races IRL, fills seats, and is marketable.... Racing is all politics... sometimes regardless of talent...kinda like this guyhttp://www.hollywoodheadache.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/nick-hogan-in-trouble.jpg

DP vs http://www.hotwheelscollectors.com/images/content/2005/0311/news_ashley_974.jpgashley?

[dtc 360RT]

^^ ashley,slightly hotter girl next door type. Is that what happened with helio?my TiVo stopped before that I guess. I was downtown lbgp, TDI audi's were killing it!

[sideview_180sx]

kathrine legge won in the ladder series leading up to champ car. now that she has gone back to europe to the dtm series. its safe to say the only times she will come out here will be if she gets an alms ride. i still think in skill kathrine is better. but to be able to deal with the pressure and media. danica is far better in that area. alms is where its at rite now. i'm bummed about the imposed rules this year on lmp2 to give the audis a clear advantage more so then last year. whatever i'll be up at infineon and portland latter this year. and phoenix for rolex.

[Sonic Motor]

If it was me, I'd just say....
all those guys got owned by an american girl
:spank:

USA, where woman like Danica Patrick and Hilary Clinton are at the top. hahah

[infinitexsound]

kathrine legge won in the ladder series leading up to champ car. now that she has gone back to europe to the dtm series. its safe to say the only times she will come out here will be if she gets an alms ride. i still think in skill kathrine is better. but to be able to deal with the pressure and media. danica is far better in that area. alms is where its at rite now. i'm bummed about the imposed rules this year on lmp2 to give the audis a clear advantage more so then last year. whatever i'll be up at infineon and portland latter this year. and phoenix for rolex.

thats cool dude, i live just outside the infineon race track like 20 min away.. we should meet up, im pretty sure im bring a cooler of beer and meat... and a small grill... i really dont like how world challenge touring class is lookin.. theres not enough good battles...it seems like bmw cant get close enough for a win... but their track is infineon.. all torque...

[yarou]

+1 for photoshop, i'd still hit it


http://wizbangblog.com/archives/danica_patrick.jpg

Did you stop for one second to look at her face?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f102/nenhenry/Untitled-1-3.jpg

[infinitexsound]

i guess some of you dont like girls.. and would rather sit next to the ugly guy who has spiked hair and a pink flipped up collar shirt...at the bar... maybe u 2 have something in common, like of interest.

personally i'd hit it... i bet she'd be great.. for a one niter or even a few...

[INeedNewTires]

the sad fact of the matter is that Danica could whoop every single person on this entire forum's ass at grip driving.... period. NOBODY here can beat her in a 1 on 1 race.... so all you complaining bitches can STFU... and shes hot... and 5'2" @ 105lbs and can STILL whoop all our asses!

[chohdog]

He's not the first or last to discredit her win. The simple fact is, she was a key part of the win regardless of how others may view it came about. Bottom line is, most of the drivers in the field are so close skill wise, it usually comes down to pit stop strategy or machine capability.

BTW one of my friends has committed to stalking Ashely Force. Now that's dedication.

[infinitexsound]

topic is overcooked... sad thing in the racing world, new news gets old fast...
when is she going to win again? thats the question...

[justaKAiswear]

She is always going to get discredited because of her sex. Its something anyone 'different' has to deal with when they make an achievement in a sport. THe article is not that bad, but regardless, dumbing down what is a big achievement for a world class athlete is trashy and unprofessional. SHe's good, she's a girl, deal with it.

[Strider]

She's not being discredited because of her sex, it's actually quite the opposite. She's acquired a legion of die hard fans even though she has not one a single race because she is a woman.

The author is giving her and her TEAM credit for the win; a win is a win after all. At the same time he is shedding light from a professional view point, that the win should not be magnified like it was because of the circumstances. If it was a male racer we would have said, "well it was the 300", "there were no Champ drivers there and no competitors" and finally, "the win was attributed to a great pit strategy developed by the best team in racing!"