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

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

[SevenofNine]

SHUT THE F*** up Robby

First of all rack her she doing good so far I don't think she win entire race she has a shot

SHUT F*** UP

[auboy]

Robby needs to remember his extra weight gives him an advantage - more "down" force.

[freepatriot32]

[paulat]

What a big, fat 200-pound-plus whiner!!! If she were 50 pounds heavier and not a babe, he'd have to find something else to whine about!!

Loser!!

[Obadiah]

I don't understand all the venom against Gordon. He has a point. Patrick is quickly becoming a media darling in large measure because she is female. Indeed she does have a built in advantage. So maybe before the media gets carried away with her being the Billie Jean King of racing they could honestly discuss the weight issue. People root for her as an underdog and are willing to provide her with what may be an unfair advantage. The point is, if NASCAR is going to open up then the rules should change as well to address these issues. It's called fair play and sportsmanship.

[RichInOC]

Yeah, she's one of the lighter drivers on the track. She's also one of the younger and less experienced drivers on the track. Things even out.

[clintonh8r]

A lot of people here don't know what they're talking about. One hundred pounds is a very significant amount of weight in a race car. It affects everything from fuel consumption to handling to tire wear. Most racing series including Formula 1, (not IRL, though) have a minimum weight limit that includes the weight of the driver in the car. All Gordon is saying is that IRL's rules should conform to virtually every other major racing series when it comes to calculating the minimum car weight. Still, it's no reason to boycott the race, but his basic point is totally valid.

[thoughtomator]

But she has the crippling disadvantage of being a woman driver... she needs every edge she can get!

[hispanichoosier]

Danica Patrick's presence here in Indy has been a giagantic boon to the race. I haven't heard this much buzz over the 500 in years. And, yes, her beauty definitely has something to do with it:

[Constitution Day]

You are quite correct on the physics.

I'm sorry that all those blinded by her gender/beauty can't recognize that he has a point.

[SaveTheChief]

There's something to be said for the team sport of Formula 1. Cars are built to specification by individual teams rather than a cut and paste chassis and engine scheme.

But in a racing league where the cars are almost identical, Gordon should stop his whining and adapt his racing strategy.

[hispanichoosier]

Patrick is quickly becoming a media darling in large measure because she is female.

Partly true...she's also hot!

[King Prout]

what a pansy.
I can see raising the subject of handicapping - like in horse-racing - but refusing to compete is just lame.

[Southack]

Too many whiners. If you aren't the fastest driver, then you don't deserve to win. If that means that only midget females will win, then so be it.

Let the fastest driver win, however, rather than force handicaps that amount to Affirmative Action for poor White male drivers.

[clintonh8r]

Thanks for proving my initial point....

[NormsRevenge]

Robby Robby,, so she won't date ya.. cool it.

Heck, how about they just let the cars and drivers speak for themselves on the track..

A race finish , at all, would be excellent for Danica, if she avoids trouble and traffic, she could be Top 20 or better.

It's a long race tho .

[DouglasKC]

Wah. What's next...heavy jockeys complaining about skinny jockeys?

[Arkie2]

Sorenstam was a media darling before she played golf with the guys. She got her butt kicked and everyone forgot about it. Same thing here. This lady will wilt under the conditions and that will be that.

[solitas]

hey gordon: starve yourself.

Question to all: who's got more track time / experience / completed races - Sarah Fisher or Patrick?

[EdHallick]

Saying an extra 100 lbs in a race car is unfair is like saying a tic-tac in a whale will fill it up.