[vincesanity82]

Danica Patrick is in her third season as the most talked-about driver in the IndyCar Series.And the still-winless Patrick doesn't know how much 'Danicamania' will intensify when she takes her first checkered flag. She's sure of one thing, though -- it's a matter of when, not if.
"It's going to be nice to do it. It's probably going to come when everyone least expects it, including myself, but it's time," she said. "It's time to just do it and get it over with, and I can't tell you that I'm going to be over-the-moon ecstatic.
"I'm going to be relieved."
Since arriving in the series in 2005 and surging to the top in popularity by leading the Indianapolis 500 for 19 laps and finishing fourth, Patrick feels like she has moved closer to becoming the first woman to win a race.
She finished a career-best third earlier this year at Texas. She said she's also gaining familiarity with her new Andretti Green Racing team.
As the rookie of the year with Rahal Letterman Racing in 2005, she said her equipment was superior and helped her to a 12th-place finish overall. Last year, her experience helped her finish ninth in the standings even though her car struggled.
This year, even her teammates are anticipating a victory and joking that they'll shave off her beloved long black hair to welcome her to the ranks of race winners.
"They're also a little bit mischievous," she said of Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti. "Obviously, they know that I like my hair."
The series will make its seventh visit to Richmond International Raceway this weekend, and Saturday night's SunTrust Indy Challenge will be the second consecutive event run on a short oval. Last week, Patrick was 13th in the Iowa Corn Indy 250.
But while Patrick has finished 10th and 15th in her two previous starts at Richmond, she said returning to the series' shortest track gets her motivated.
"I think the racing is very good," she said.
It also changes throughout the race as drivers contend with a setting sun that cools the track, tire wear, and the shift in weight of the car as fuel burns off.
Last year, Sam Hornish Jr., found the perfect combination at RIR, leading 212 of the 250 laps to become the first two-time winner on the traditional NASCAR track.
Patrick hopes to hit the mark on Saturday night.
"I don't know if there's any way to really know," she said. "I'm lucky in the sense that it's a big deal when I do good things and when stories crop up, but that would be quite the story, so I don't know if there's any way to judge what it will be like."

Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing, Dario Franchitti, Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, AUTO RACING - CBS SportsLine.com

[Racer Duck]

danica has been consistent. consistently 5-10 place car. for her to win, the cars in front of her need to all fall by the wayside at the same time. not very plausible, but entirely possible.

but I'm like her, don't think I'll feel anything but relief - relief that I don't have to listen to the "when's she gonna win?" clamor any more.

[kcoruol]

Too bad she's not racing for NASCAR. Teach them boys a thing or two about racing! If she wasn't the fastest on the track she'd definately be the hottest!!






"You politically incorrect son of a gun!!"

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by kcoruol

If she wasn't the fastest on the track she'd definately be the hottest!!

seems like we've ridden that horse into the ground also...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

danica has been consistent. consistently 5-10 place car. for her to win, the cars in front of her need to all fall by the wayside at the same time. not very plausible, but entirely possible.

but I'm like her, don't think I'll feel anything but relief - relief that I don't have to listen to the "when's she gonna win?" clamor any more.

A lot of racers out there would take that as is...I think she is doing fine...

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

A lot of racers out there would take that as is...I think she is doing fine...

thanks, I think.

I agree, she's doing fine. every year she is better than the last - does that mean she's maturing as a driver? I guess it does.

but the clamor for her to win is almost unbearable... kinda like Jr. winning the Cup championship! it may or may not happen, but I hope it does so I don't have to listen to all that noise.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by kcoruol

Too bad she's not racing for NASCAR. Teach them boys a thing or two about racing! If she wasn't the fastest on the track she'd definately be the hottest!!

"You politically incorrect son of a gun!!"

She looks like a 15 year old cute little girl. Being the "Hottest" on the track will never get you a "W". If she felt she could make an impact in NASCAR she'd have been here already. Time will tell but right now she isn't NASCAR.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

She looks like a 15 year old cute little girl. Being the "Hottest" on the track will never get you a "W". If she felt she could make an impact in NASCAR she'd have been here already. Time will tell but right now she isn't NASCAR.

Nothing wrong with cute and wholesome looking...

...and says who? the rest of the drivers could be trying to sneak a peek and three wrecks latter, the girl has a win...no?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by kcoruol

Too bad she's not racing for NASCAR. Teach them boys a thing or two about racing! If she wasn't the fastest on the track she'd definately be the hottest!!





"You politically incorrect son of a gun!!"

The same could be said of Paris Hylton but do we want her in NASCAR?

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

The same could be said of Paris Hylton but do we want her in NASCAR?

Now THERE is a clear indication of the subconscious thoughts of a true NASCAR afficionado (Fan - cause I am fairly sure I spell "fan" correctly). While clearly referring in the concious state to Paris HILTON, the subconcious NASCAR cells directs fingers to strike "HYLTON" as in one James.

I'm laughin'. Hope you are.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Now THERE is a clear indication of the subconscious thoughts of a true NASCAR afficionado (Fan - cause I am fairly sure I spell "fan" correctly). While clearly referring in the concious state to Paris HILTON, the subconcious NASCAR cells directs fingers to strike "HYLTON" as in one James.

I'm laughin'. Hope you are.

Subliminal suggestion. I humbly stand corrected.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Subliminal suggestion. I humbly stand corrected.

But please, don't correct it. I'd been disappointed if ya did it "Hilton". Woulda tainted ya. I'd been devastated, lost, wandering alone.

It'd be fair now were you to suggest perhaps I cut le crap (el toro ca ca?) and return to dormant. More than fair. Let me save ya the effort - ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz --

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

It'd be fair now were you to suggest perhaps I cut le crap (el toro ca ca?) and return to dormant. More than fair. Let me save ya the effort - ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz --

It'll never happen on this end. I admire sentence structure, punctuation and syntax. If it's pointed at me, so much the better. At least someone is reading what I author. C'est la vie, or as they would say in the Philippines, Hinde malaking bagay!

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

She looks like a 15 year old cute little girl. Being the "Hottest" on the track will never get you a "W". If she felt she could make an impact in NASCAR she'd have been here already. Time will tell but right now she isn't NASCAR.

With all due respect LSC, is NA$CAR the end to all? Is someone NOT a true automobile racer until they've succeeded in the Cup?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

With all due respect LSC, is NA$CAR the end to all? Is someone NOT a true automobile racer until they've succeeded in the Cup?

Scotty my friend you are absolutely correct. Give that man a cigar. By no means is NASCAR considered the top dog by all and just because someone doesn't drive in NASCAR, that doesn't make them someone less.

I'm not an open wheel fan so I cannot rattle of names and stats. I'm sure Danica is good or she wouldn't be running in her chosen series. I'm also confident that if she made herself available to NASCAR ... someone would be looking to sign her. She may do well if she ever ventures into NASCAR.

Without any desire to get an argument going I just don't get the thinking as to why we even discuss her ??? Again I admit it is just me and I refuse to get in a yank about this but ... she doesn't drive in the NASCAR series so I (personally) never quite understand why we even discuss her. The argument that she is a racer doesn't work for me (personally). When was the last time we had a discussion about Dennis Anderson ?? OH .. wait .. he isn't cute or female.

As I noted my feelings on this topic are mine and mine alone so I never get in a fritz over it. I just don't get it and I really don't want this topic to take on a discussion about why we should or shouldn't discuss Danica.