NASCAR Driver Says Female Phenom Has Unfair Edge(Danica Patrick)

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com ^ | 5 28 05

[Arkie2]

That's because the question is irrelevant. Stop whinig.

[Arkie2]

You're right. I'm ready to eat my words. She did make a couple of rookie mistakes but recovered and kept driving. Good on her!

[Black Tooth]

That's because the question is irrelevant.

No it's not. You just know the answer but refuse to answer it. Just because your girl didn't win is no reason to get all upset. Take a deep breath.

[Obadiah]

Why wasn't WEIGHT an issue when thin guys were competing against heavier guys?
Why is weight an issue only because she's female?
Wanna answer that one?

Sure. First, because there is likely a hundred pounds of weight difference between guys. Second, my point was that if they are going to change the rules and let women drive, that's fine, but make sure that there is equitable play.

I realize that there are many in our society, and on this very board, that are eager to turn everything into a gender battle, but I see this as non-productive.

If she wants to race, that's fine, in fact she raced quite well today, but adjust the rules accordingly. In other words, don't change half the rules to let her compete, but then fail to take into account any inherent advantages, if indeed there are any.

No matter, those who view Patrick simply through feminist glasses will likely not be able to rationally consider the possible legitimacy of the issue, but will likely view it strictly in terms of gender, hence, rather than rooting for Danica Patrick as a person, or considering the sport as a whole, they are simply rooting for Patrick foremost because she is a female and that is sad.

[Dashing Dasher]

Danica 100. Jeff Gordon weighs 150 - Robbie Gordon 200+.
So - 50 lbs doesn't matter? Just 100?
Bugger - it's because she's a chick.

AND... since when did they "change the rules" to let women drive?! You get their on your own merit - you are in.

Otherwise, I agree. I don't want to get credit for just being a female, or the only female, or the first female to do something. I want to get the glory from doing it well.

You don't know this - but I'm in two heavily male dominated sports. In one of them, I am one of two out of 200 that do what I do. It's harder than anyone could imagine - and then I get people who want to write articles about me because I'm female.

I accept the challenge of blazing new trails - but I want to get there on my merit. I believe Danica has done that.

[chariotdriver]

As far as a weight difference of 100lbs the IRL says it not an issue today

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indy Racing League isn't giving any weight to the complaints about Danica Patrick's slight frame. ``It's no issue at all, as it pertains to the Indianapolis 500 and oval-track racing,'' league spokesman John Griffin said.

The young lady aside, IMO racing today is not the kind of thing it was when I really followed it from '65 to circa '85. Then envelopes were being pushed, the cars while similar weren't all the same. Some of those cars were real monster to drive

Today the owners probably chose their front people based on a marketing strategy, then put those people in racing simulators. By the time they get into the car it is like they have been driving it for a hundred hours
Nowdays they are getting real time telemetry from the car, coaching the driver via voice communication real time and all the rest
Also safety is a good thing but there are way to many yellows during the race nowdays IMO, and finishing under a yellow? what kind of race is that?

[Black Tooth]

Also safety is a good thing but there are way to many yellows during the race nowdays IMO, and finishing under a yellow? what kind of race is that?

I couldn't agree more. It's very different today. Lets face it, if your not very wealthy, with national sponsors, your not on the track. I actually watch few car races. After watching this one end in a yellow, while cruising at freeway speeds, I'll be watching even fewer.

[Dashing Dasher]

FYI..........
The winner of the Indy 500 for 2005, Dan Wheldon is 5'9" and weighs 157 lbs.

[sheik yerbouty]

Robin Givens did!

[Dashing Dasher]

[Always Right]

That just ain't fair:

[Southack]

"Danica is about 12 hours from learning the difference between qualifying by yourself, and running down to turn 1 with 32 other barely-in-control projectiles being driven by Nomex-cladded testosterone..."

Come on, admit it...you don't know squat about racing.

[Black Tooth]

Sad, they just did the story on the Indy 500 on my local news station, and the winners name was not mentioned once!

[chariotdriver]

I might get attacked on a gender thing for this, but so what thats okay. Looks to me thats whats being marketed SEX.

H*** just look at the picts on this thread. Look at all the photo spreads leading up to the thing. Have you ever seen ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR ANY ROOKIE? then the team, Letterman. Nothing against him, but its all marketing.

Loot at her official website
http://www.danicaracing.com/
" this attractive 5-foot-1, 100-pound woman, battles in a man's world with amazing success, and shows the determination to become one of the nation's brightest sports stars. Patrick is one of the nation's best young auto racers."
Follow Danica's 2005 season in the Indy Racing League,
and then her blistering staggering race history
http://www.rahal.com/drivers/patrick/index.jsp

Today, owners make a star just like they did in Hollywood years ago, the 'STAR MAKER MACHINE'
Hey I'm not 'against it' just call it what it is

[Arkie2]

LOL! Whatever dude.

[Black Tooth]

"Whatever dude"??

Uh, far out man.

[flstc5150]

I bet when Robbie was a kid he told the teachers "that girl will not give me back my bat" Even if the IRL bent the rules for Robbie he would say "now Danica has the advantage because she has more men looking at her than I do" No one ever watched him in NASCAR and he knows if he went back to the IRL Danica would make him look like the sissy he is.

[Riptides]

She's a Hottie!
She has my vote!