Danica Patrick Becoming IRL Force
Patrick Pilots Motorola Indycar to Consecutive Strong Finishes
Apr 27, 2009
Danica Patrick may be one of the most popular drivers in the Indy Racing League (IRL), but with just one victory to her credit in her four-year open wheel racing career, there have been whispers that she’s more style than substance. But her fourth place finish in the April 19 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, her best career showing on a road or street course, and a fifth place finish at the April 26 race on the oval in Kansas, showed that Patrick has the speed and race savvy to position herself as a contender in ’09.
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to Remember
Despite starting in the 22nd position as a result of a poor qualifying performance, during which she damaged her Andretti Green entry in a minor crash, Patrick showed patience and benefited from brilliant pit strategy by team boss Michael Andretti. During the middle part of the race, Patrick ran second behind eventual race winner Dario Franchitti and even managed to close the gap on the ’07 Indianapolis 500 and IRL series champion. While Franchitti may have been in fuel conservation mode at the time, Patrick demonstrated that she could run up front with the leaders, something she has not done on a regular basis in the IRL.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Turned Racer
The IRL, desperately seeking stars to hang its marketing hat on in the battle to restore open wheel racing to prominence, clearly wants to take advantage of the 27-year-old Patrick’s runway model looks, feisty image and appearance in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. But in order for the league to fully capitalize on her celebrity stature, Patrick must be competitive and a threat to win at each race.
In previous seasons, Patrick has become almost as famous for her temper tantrums and altercations with fellow drivers outside of the car. There was the flare up with fellow female driver Milka Duno last season that’s become a Youtube favorite, and a shoving match with ’06 series champion Dan Wheldon a couple of years ago. But Patrick said before this season began that she is attempting to reign in her temper and maintain focus on the track.
Tangle with U.S. Air Force Sponsored Matos
At the season opening race at St. Petersburg, she was taken out in a crash by rookie Raphael Matos in his U.S. Air Force sponsored car, resulting in a 19th place finish. The two did have words following the altercation, but Patrick got her point across without escalating the incident in what appeared to be a sign of her resolve to keep her emotions in check.
Indianapolis 500 On The Way
Patrick hopes to maintain her momentum when the IRL returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the May 24th Indianapolis 500. She will be making her fifth start in the race where she burst onto the national scene in ’05 by leading 19 laps—she was the first woman to lead a lap at the speedway—on her way to finishing fourth and claiming Indy Rookie of The Year honors.
