For all who insist that Danica Patrick's hype exceeds her results, the massive attention she received this weekend in Japan, where the 26-year old from Roscoe, Ill., returned to Twin Ring Motegi as the defending champion, was legitimate.She is the first woman to win an IndyCar race. Her hopes of repeating came up short early Saturday morning with a sixth-place finish at the Indy Japan 300.
But if some in her native USA are still slow to give Patrick her due, it was obvious by the reception she received in Japan this week that country has embraced her as a hero.
Fans literally swarmed the 5-foot-2, 100-pound Patrick as she attended pre-race activities for the race. The Japanese press even presented her with gifts.
It's good to be Danica. Now for the second act.
After spending four years answering the question of when she would win, Patrick has spent parts of the last year defending her victory which came because her team's fuel strategy out-smarted the field.
And now the question is: When will she win again? Unfortunately for Patrick, it didn't come at Motegi.
"I don't really care about where it comes... I'm not picky, I'll take a "W" anywhere,'' Patrick, who qualified sixth, said before the race. "There's a level of confidence that comes with being the defending winner and there's some excitement as well.''
Excitement may be an understatement.
It's a recurring theme for IndyCar's most talked-about driver. Prior to Saturday's race, Patrick was fifth in the standings -- first among non-Penske and non-Ganassi team cars -- and not a factor in the championship. But she is as hot a commodity as any of those vying for the trophy, thanks to appearances in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, starring roles in national commercials and invitations to walk Hollywood red carpets.
Latest Danica Patrick Photos
Danica Patrick of the United States sits in the car as she waits for a practice session of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo, to begin Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Danica Patrick of the United States gets in her car for a practice session of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Danica Patrick of the United States drives during a practice session of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Danica Patrick of the United States sits in the car as she waits for a practice session of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo to begin Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Danica Patrick of the United States sits in the car as she waits for a practice session of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo, to begin Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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MOTEGI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Danica Patrick, drives the #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during practice for the IndyCar Series Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile on September 18, 2009 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick
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MOTEGI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green racing Dallara Honda prepares to qualify for the IndyCar Series Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile on September 18, 2009 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick
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American Danica Patrick wears a driver's suit during a practice session for the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo Friday, Sept. 18 , 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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A fan of Danica Patrick of the United States watch a pre-race event for the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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Driver Danica Patrick of the United States smiles with a fan during a press conference ahead of the IndyCar Series' Indy Japan 300 mile auto race slated for Saturday, on the 1.5-mile oval track at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, northeast of Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Patrick won last year's race in Japan and became the first woman to win an IRL race. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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"You'll know when I tell you,'' she remanded reporters in a news conference in Japan this week.
It is her racing talent combined with her immense popularity and marketability that have given her opportunities like no woman before her.
And this week, the focus was on her talent.
Often Patrick is unfairly branded racing's "Anna Kournikova" because of all the exposure -- magazine covers out-numbering the top-five finishes. But who of her competitors wouldn't seize the same opportunity? Patrick may not be vying for the season championship yet, but she has proven herself a legitimate competitor and, more than that, a winner.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-19-2009 @ 6:39AM
obamaizamarxist said...
That's about right, she's a perennial 5th, 6th finisher, but seriously, who cares? The girl is easier on the eyes than anyone in motor sports, except my girl Ashley Force..
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9-19-2009 @ 7:36AM
sdh4194 said...
when she goes to nascar with dollar signs in her eyes she will find out the true meaning of competition. and she will fail miserably.
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9-19-2009 @ 3:34PM
wagnerjfw said...
Come on! Turn Left, Go Fast..that's all that is required. Nascar shouldn't even be classified as a sport. She will no doubt make a boatfull of money on just the publicity factor of going over to Nascar. I challenged Jeff Gordon to a 2 lap race in 2= factory produced cars and I guaranteed that I would beat him. If not, I would donate $10,000 to a charity of his choice! His people refused...why? because of the intimidation factor, and the possibility of him losing....
9-19-2009 @ 6:23PM
illsell4u said...
More than likely the stupidity factor. You want to challenge the best then earn your way onto a Nascar team.
9-19-2009 @ 6:45PM
g27racing said...
Wagner: You are a complete moron. The reason Jeff Gordon would not respond or take the challenge is there is nothing in it for him. If he beats you, all that happenend is a professional smoked a nobody. If he loses, then everybody doubts his ability. Where is the upside for Jeff? Any pro race car driver would be a fool to accept such a stupid proposition..
9-19-2009 @ 7:40AM
illsell4u said...
Unfairly branded her the Anna Kournikova of racing? Are you kidding me? She is almost EXACTLY like her in every way. Anna won a few tennis matches but never won a major, just like Danica. Anna made swimsuit calenders, just like Danica. Anna is hotter than steam, just like Danica. Both have no problem using their looks and sexuality to pad their bank accounts. Unfair? Oh, I see it now. One is blonde while one is brunette. That must be the difference. But you know what they say? Brunettes, like blondes only smarter.
mbl
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9-19-2009 @ 8:00AM
mstrunn400 said...
Good post illsell, could not agree with you more, what has she done this year? Virtually nothing, except keep her whining and temper under control, used to like her but for the reasons illsell stated, don't now.
9-19-2009 @ 8:03AM
gary said...
Good post illsell, could not agree with you more, what has she done this year? Virtually nothing except keep her whining down and temper under control, used to like her but don't now, for the reasons illsell stated.
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9-19-2009 @ 8:36AM
Steve said...
Brazilian driver Milka Duno makes Danica look like a stray dog.
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9-19-2009 @ 3:39PM
Brian said...
Milka is Venezuelan not Brazilian and she is no where near as hot as Danika. And she is an even worse driver.
9-19-2009 @ 8:56PM
anzajoe said...
Here is the most pathetic post of all.
SKIMILK UNO IS SUCH A SKIL KESS DRIVER that the only competition she could give DANICA is to be her carwash girl.LOL. nzcr14said.
9-21-2009 @ 10:30AM
texcleveland said...
Ummmm Milka is not from Brazil. Try Venezuela us race fans refer to her as moving chicane and Milk & Donuts
9-19-2009 @ 9:10AM
krspas2 said...
She has not been a factor in any race this year.
Even her third place finish at Indy was a fluke
and she never was a factor in the race. She is
fifth in the point standings because or her car,
pit crew and Michael Andretti. She's got the #1
car for AGR and all the attention is paid to her
and her alone. Marco, Tony amd Hedeki are given
short shrift. What is AGR going to do next year.
They have the #1 and #2 drivers in Indy Lights and
how can they move them up with deadweight like Danica kept on the team. Seems AGR is more concerned about keeping Danica to build up
AGR publicity than winning races. Last years win in Japan was early in the year. It wasn't as important for Penske ot Target/Gannasi drivers to
win so they let Danica win because of lagging ticket sales at Kansas and Indy (the next two races) why else would six drivers ahead of her come into the pits under green to get a "splash"
of fuel when they had pitted after her earlier and really were in no danger of running out of fuel. This year, however, Briscoe, Dixon and Franchitti were locked in a battle for the title
and they weren't about to let the IRL tell them to let her win again. They needed maximum points
and that means winning.
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9-19-2009 @ 9:33AM
Mingo said...
Danica has to start doing more then she is doing on the track, Right now she is just an also ran week after week. Way to much credit goes to her right now because she is a female. and the sport is hoping that will fill the seats in the stands. so far she is not living up to the hype. Nascar is interested in her so the can have a female driver and fill the seats She will have big problems running nascars hard running cars
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9-19-2009 @ 3:29PM
Coach Serbus said...
why are so many people so negative all the time -
where are the mature people anymore ?
People should think before speaking
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9-19-2009 @ 3:36PM
sugahnans024 said...
Danica = L O S E R
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9-19-2009 @ 3:37PM
Don said...
She's not winning races, but neither is anyone else in the AGR stable and she is ahead of all of them in points. She is also the top American driver in the IRL, for the second year in a row. Best of the rest, who don't drive for Ganassi or Penske.
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9-19-2009 @ 4:11PM
NASCARMAN9424 said...
She is an average driver with alot of publicity because she is a female.The notion of her ever being successful in nascar is completely ridiculous. there is way to much talent in the premiere series.But i agree she is cute.
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9-19-2009 @ 4:11PM
Allen said...
Let the spoiled little brat stay there
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9-19-2009 @ 4:23PM
tmn8750 said...
Danica would be swallowed up and spit out even in the ARCA Series.
She is a woman and a novelty.
Jeff Gordon figured out how to drive and Indy car quickly a few years ago and Juan Pablo Montoya took some time to get it going in a stock car.
Montoya is doing well in NASCAR, but this if his third year and he is driving a Chevy now instead of a Dodge.
Montoya is a champion and an Indy 500 winner. Now compare Danica to him.
She has zero chance in NASCAR. The first time someone shoves or hudges her out of the way to pass, no one will buy her stomping through the garage area act. They will laugh her out of the series.
Stay where you are Danica, you are a one-trick pony. If she was not attractive, she would have been dumped years ago. She won one meaningless race in her series.
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