Posted on 06/01/2005 10:18:58 AM PDT by freepatriot32
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 31) - Robby Gordon was not being critical of Danica Patrick when he said she had an unfair weight advantage in the Indianapolis 500. Rather, he said he was simply discussing a flaw in the Indy Racing League's rules.
"The only thing I was saying was that I have a problem with the rule, not any particular driver," Gordon said Tuesday. "I've been impressed with Danica from the first time she got in an IRL car earlier this year, and I certainly did not mean to disrespect her or any other driver."
Patrick wowed the racing world by becoming the highest-finishing female driver in Indianapolis history with a fourth-place finish on Sunday.
Gordon stated the day before the race that because Patrick weighs just 100 pounds, her car is lighter than everyone else in the field. Unlike other series, the IRL does not include a driver when setting its weight limit.
In NASCAR, where Gordon currently competes, the minimum weight requirement includes the driver.
But in the IRL, a car must weigh 1,525 pounds before the fuel and driver are added. A smaller driver would have at least a slight edge over heavier ones because of the rule.
"This rule has been around for years, and it's something that Paul Tracy and I have talked about for a long time," said Gordon, who weighs nearly 200 pounds.
Gordon's comments actually echoed those of several drivers in Indianapolis who complained that Patrick had an advantage.
"It makes a big difference," race-winner Dan Wheldon said Tuesday. "If it didn't in qualifying, you wouldn't worry about the fuel. We try to make it basically run out during qualifying, and that's what a difference of six or seven pounds makes. I definitely think it's an advantage and I'm pretty sure in due time you'll have a rule change on that."
Sam Hornish Jr., who weighs roughly 60 pounds more than Patrick, said two days before the race that the size difference gave her an edge.
"That's got to be worth something," Hornish told the Toledo Blade. "Whether you calculate speed or fuel economy, that little difference is a factor."
Hornish's bosses at Penske Racing even figured out the mathematical advantage Patrick had.
"That's probably worth something like 0.8 of a mile an hour," team president Tim Cindric said.
Gordon, who didn't run in the Indy 500 this season for the first time in 10 years, said he was trying to make the same point.
Instead, his comments were interpreted by many as Gordon being critical of Patrick. He stressed Tuesday that was never his intent.
"Indy is one of the toughest races in the world to finish, let alone win, and the fact that she ran up front for most of the 200 laps proved her ability to drive," he said. "Given that she is so young, I would be amazed if she didn't win at least one Indy 500.
"Had she won, it would have done more for the IRL and the Indy 500 than could ever be imagined. As one who loves that race as much or more than any other, it would have been great to see because it would have been huge for the IRL."
IRL officials have said they are not considering changing the weight requirements.
Wheldon said the rules have forced the IRL regulars to be as light as possible.
"A lot of us have changed our training regimen for that," he said. "I'm not lifting as much weight as I used to, and I'm running like a son of a gun."
Then he should stick to NASCAR and F1 if he wants that rule.
He has nowhere near the talent required for F1. He does very well off road, though.
Good grief... I can't imagine weight difference makes that much difference in a race car.... what a whiner!
with the "<" signals after typing img src="picture location" type: image hight="750" image width="800"> just example numbers, after expirementing around for a while, you'll get to know what dimensions work best for what type of picture. Just always remember to preview before you post lest is be huge.
That's true.
I guess I don't remember the press. I am getting old I guess.
I was at Indy for all of her races, it was fun to root for the girl.
Thanks for the tip.
Undoubtedly that's why he's bitching about the rules of IRL: he can't compete in F1, but wants to race open-wheel.
She was getting into Indy when I got sick of it. All they talked about was Lyn St James. The same deal when Janet Guthrie ran. They had no special talent, but sucked way far more than their 1/33 (obviously skewed for talent & name recognition) of the hype.
Danica Patrick and fiance Paul Hospenthal
How did Stewart become the 2002 champion without winning?
Danica Patrick and Paul Hospenthal
When a beautiful young woman shows courage and passion for a sport like race car driving, it is natural to wonder where all this energy and talent came from. Danica Patrick, the 4th woman to ever start the Indianapolis 500, says she was prepared for the moment from the time she was born.
Here is information about how her supportive parents met, and her engagement to Paul Hospenthal.
News Updates:
5/29/05: Danica Patrick made Indianapolis 500 history today by finishing fourth and having the best finish for a woman in the history of the race.
Danica's Parents:
Danica's parents are T.J. and Bev Patrick. T.J. raced skimobiles, motocross, and midget cars. T.J. and Bev met on a blind date at a skimobile event when Bev was a mechanic for a friend's skimobile. They have owned a Java Hut and a plate glass company.
Birthdates:
Danica Sue Patrick was born March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. She grew up in Roscoe, Illinois.
Fiancé Paul Edward Hospenthal was born c. 1966.
Paul is sixteen years older than Danica.
How Danica and Paul Met:
They met in 2002 when Danica was referred to Paul when she hurt her hip during a yoga session.
They became engaged on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005. Danica's engagement ring is a 4 1/4-carat diamond ring.
Wedding Date:
Danica and Paul have set November 19, 2005 in Arizona as their wedding date. They have said that all the wedding details were finalized in January, 2005 so she could concentrate on the racing season.
Education:
Danica: She attended Hononegah Community High School and received a GED.
Paul: He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington where he was a track star in the 400 meters race. Paul also received a Fellowship in Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University.
Occupations:
Danica: Race car driver. She started karting in 1992. She is the fourth woman to start the Indianapolis 500, and on May 12, 2005, Danica's speed of 227.633 MPH was the fastest speed in practice at the Indianapolis 500. Finished second in the Formula Ford Festival.
She drives the Rahal Letterman Racing Argent Pioneer No. 16 Panoz/Honda/Firestone.
Danica also hosted "Powerblock" on Spike TV. She plays herself in the 2005 documentary "Girl Racers" which hasn't been released yet.
Paul: Physical therapist, certified strengthening and conditioning specialist, and personal trainer. Paul has trained athletes in all major sports. Paul runs the Desert Institute of Physical Therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Paul is a Contributing Writer for "GOLF MAGAZINE" and has been featured in "Sports Illustrated" magazine. He made a VHS video, "17 Pros & The Secrets To Golf Fitness."
Residence:
Paul and Danica live in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Pets:
Danica has a miniature schnauzer named William Robert who has a nickname of Billy.
Miscellaneous:
There only have been three other women to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, Sarah Fisher.
Hobbies and Interests: Danica enjoys shopping, working out, yoga, weight training, running (3-5 miles per day), watching Regis and Kelly, roller blading, barbecues, watching comedy movies, nice dinners, laughing, traveling, and listening to music but not country or classical.
Quotes:
Danica: "My father used to race snowmobiles, midgets, motorcross. My mom and dad met at a snowmobile race on a blind date and were married not that long after and had me not that long after. So, you know, this is very much a racing family."
Source: Auto Racing Daily
Bev Patrick on letting Danica move to England at 16 years of age: "If you want to be the best lawyer, you go to Harvard. If you want to be the best driver, you go to England."
Source: Auto Racing.com
Danica on having children: "It's just not really in the cards right now. When racing's over, that's the only time it would happen, but right now it's a no."
Source: USA Today
From Sheri & Bob Stritof,Your Guide to Marriage.
Lately, friend.
What has Tony, or Gibbs, done lately?
Wedding Date:
Danica and Paul have set November 19, 2005 in Arizona as their wedding date
How can they marry before they are engaged?
Good question.
He ran a damn good second a couple weeks back when Kahne won.
To characterize them as losers is a wild statement of opinion which disregards objective fact.
I think it's unfair that Shaquille O'Neal is taller than me. I refuse to play in the NBA until some kind of adjustment is made.
I find it amazing when people call the top 10 in the world at their sport losers.
It usually comes from someone who has never driven anything that doesn't have an automatic tranny an a powered moonroof.
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