Another race driver is emerging in a profession that requires exceptional ability and courage just to come home alive and well after each race. Danica Patrick is, if her current level of performance is any gauge, a person with the necessary abilities to do more than just survive in the Indy Racing League. No race driver can vault herself onto the scene with the performance stats that Patrick has without the rigorous preparation that she has heaped upon herself.
Danica's Winning Early Years
Patrick was already a cart national champion when she sought to immerse herself in intense training and competition in Great Britain at age 16. Now 25 year old, Danica Patrick has the competitive spirit and skillset to claim her right as a champion in IndyCar racing. Leading for a total of 19 laps in the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2005, and crossing the finish line in fourth place were her highest achievements to date. Surviving gender-oriented criticism, some bad luck and mishaps, Patrick has run the gauntlet and proven she is as tough and can compete as well as anyone in the Indy Racing League. It appears that, with more experience and maturity, she will become a winning competitor and an influential figure in racing.
2007 IndyCar Schedule: Hungry and In the Hunt
Her 2007 season with the Andretti Green Racing Team is off to a promising start with her third place finish on June 9th at the Texas Motor Speedway, the best of her 30 IndyCar races so far. The 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, ending due to rain after 166 laps, saw Patrick's Andretti Green teammate, Dario Franchitti, win the checkered flag. Patrick came in eighth, with the question in everyone's mind, "What would have happened if the race went the full distance?" For someone as fiercely competitive as Patrick, it seems just a matter of time before she earns the winner's circle trophy for her first win. Staying healthy and focused are the two most important personal requirements to maintain for any athlete.
Danica Patrick's chances of success depend on the support of her racing team, Andretti Green Racing, a race car that can respond to the challenge, and her own ability to keep on track mentally. The Andretti team is as able as any racing team on the IndyCar circuit, and has performed with surgical efficiency to prepare formidable race cars and drivers. For Danica to remain in contention, she needs to tune out any distractions and remain non-controversial. When the weight discrepancy issue surfaced and prompted some drivers to cry foul, Danica remained on task. The IRL finally affirmed that even though Danica Patrick only weighed 100 pounds, her low body weight would not be viewed as an advantage. There appears to be no controversy about Danica's commitment to the IRL, however, as she blows off any rumors about enlisting in NASCAR.
Andretti Green Racing Team: Components to Sucess
The Andretti Green Racing Team has some of the finest professionals working together to design and build the Honda race cars. The engines used in the IRL IndyCar series are Honda 3.5-liter V-8s with aluminum alloy blocks and burn 100% ethanol starting in the 2007 season. The drivers on the team include Marco Andretti, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan, and Danica Patrick.
Staying on Task to Win
Any time a woman gains status in a male dominated sport such as professional racing, with its scrutiny of personal values and character, the natural tendency of the public is to elevate that woman to the status of role model, spokesperson, and, the true sign she has arrived, the role of eye-candy. The demands that naturally come from notoriety can be a distraction and knock someone off their game. Danica Patrick has proven by her actions and her discipline, that she can balance the expectations that everyone else imposes on her by keeping focus on the singular imperative she imposes on herself, to win the race. We will post her subsequent race results here enabling you to follow her quest for her first win.
Remaining IRL 2007 Schedule
6/24 Iowa Speedway - Danica finished 13th - Dario Franchitti - winner.
6/30 Richmond International Raceway- Danica finished 6th - Dario Franchitti - winner.
7/8 Watkins Glen International - Danica finished 11th - Scott Dixon - winner.
7/14 Nashville Superspeedway - Danica finished third - Scott Dixon - winner.
7/22 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Danica finished 5th - Scott Dixon - winner.
8/5 Michigan International Speedway - Danica finished 7th - Tony Kanaan - winner.
8/11 Kentucky Speedway - Danica 16th place - Tony Kanaan - winner.
8/26 Infineon Raceway - Dancia 6th place - Scott Dixon - winner.
9/2 The Raceway at Belle Isle - Danica finished second - Tony Kanaan winner
9/9 Chicagoland Speedway - Danica finished 11th - Dario Franchitti winner
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