Go Danica!

[JackL]

Danica Patrick wins Indy Japan 300
By JIM ARMSTRONG

MOTEGI, Japan (AP) — Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history Sunday, taking the Indy Japan 300 after the top contenders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps.

Patrick finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval after leader Scott Dixon pitted with five laps left and Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan came in a lap later.

"It's a long time coming. Finally," Patrick said. "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

The 26-year-old Patrick won in her 50th career IndyCar start, taking the lead from Castroneves on the 198th lap in the 200-lap race.

"I think Danica is such a fantastic person and I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing. "We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many."

Dixon took the lead from Castroneves on the 93rd lap in the race pushed back to Sunday because of wet track conditions Saturday, but gave up the spot to pit for fuel.

"We led for a lot of laps but came up short," Dixon said. "But congratulations to Danica for her first victory."

Patrick, who started from the third row and made her final pit stop on lap 148, stayed close to the leaders throughout the race.

Patrick went from fourth to second place on lap 197 after Wheldon and Kanaan went into the pit on lap 196. She was as low as eighth place on the 189th lap.

"I knew there was a good reason for coming to Japan," Patrick said. "I want to thank my team, the fans and everyone who supported me."

Dixon was third, 10.0559 seconds behind Patrick. Wheldon was fourth, and Kanaan finished fifth.

Castroneves, awarded the pole position after qualifying was rained out Friday, said Patrick ran a great race.

"With five laps to go, I was saving fuel," Castroneves said. "When Danica passed me, I realized she was the leader. She did a great job, passed me fair and square and that shows you how competitive our series is."

Patrick finished a career-best seventh in the season standings last year, and was second in the race at Detroit's Belle Isle.

At the 2005 Indy 500, she nearly won the pole and became the first female driver to lead the race en route to a fourth-place finish. It was the best finish by a woman at Indy, and helped her take rookie of the year honors.

--
Next stop, Indy 500.

[big-daddy]

yeap.......... Motorola what a great sponsor. 

[Turboderf]

she is a hot chick 

[JackL]

yeap.......... Motorola what a great sponsor. 

Can't argue with that.

I'm not sure why you would bring it up though..

"Nextel has said that Motorola is a competitor and has asked NASCAR to remove Motorola decals off the No. 7 Ford," Gordon said. "I don't understand why it can be an associate sponsor but they can't be a primary. As you can see, there are still Motorola decals on the C post."

As an entitlement sponsor, Nextel's contract takes precedence, according to NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp.

"As the sanctioning body, it is NASCAR's responsibility to police the sport," Tharp said. "There are certain contractual agreements that must be abided by as they pertain to paint schemes and sponsorships and how they are utilized. This was one of those cases."

Gordon said he understands that Nextel wants to protect its exclusivity, but doesn't understand why enforcement doesn't appear to be consistent."
http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/03/16/rgordon.motorola.sponsor/index.html


LMAO, that sounds awful familiar!!!

[JackL]

she is a hot chick 

Certainly can't argue with that!

[1FasterBlaster]

 She's a young Demi Moore!! What a great recovery from the St. Pete Indy.

[big-daddy]

You need to come up to speed........... Its the Sprint Cup

[Busta Nutt]

she ain't got much in the way of boobies does she

[big-daddy]

she ain't got much in the way of boobies does she

She wouldn't fit in the cockpit with a bigger rack.

[Turboderf]

she ain't got much in the way of boobies does she

shes got arm pump

[trx#9]

she ain't got much in the way of boobies does she

shes got arm pump

The G-forces must of flatten them.

[gtnwood]

Woo hoo she won a race.....A RACE. Wake me up when she starts runnin with the Andrettis etc...

[JackL]

Woo hoo she won a race.....A RACE. Wake me up when she starts runnin with the Andrettis etc...

Monday May 26. 

[1FasterBlaster]

  Sprint Cup? Thanks for clearing that up...I only went to get drunk and watch them crash. It's all considered car racing to me.
   I'm waiting for her career to dwindle and she'll be reduced to a Playboy spread!! Woohoo!!

[Slick89]

  Sprint Cup? Thanks for clearing that up...I only went to get drunk and watch them crash. It's all considered car racing to me.
   I'm waiting for her career to dwindle and she'll be reduced to a Playboy spread!! Woohoo!!

lol NICE!! but seriously sounds like it was give to her in a way... she made it on fuel and no one else did. when she actually becomes a weekly threat let me know... she looks good and all but all the publicity comes from the fact shes female and she looks good!

[Anoriginal]

She's finished in the top 10 in all three races so far this year. Last year her performance was steady and always a threat for the win.

She's a first class driver and can definitely run with the big boys.

[JackL]

She's finished in the top 10 in all three races so far this year. Last year her performance was steady and always a threat for the win.

She's a first class driver and can definitely run with the big boys.

It is amusing to see men intimidated by a woman. 

[Slick89]

She's finished in the top 10 in all three races so far this year. Last year her performance was steady and always a threat for the win.

She's a first class driver and can definitely run with the big boys.

You act like theres 43 cars that race. Its only a 22 car field.   

[trx#9]

and she won on better gas milage. Thats not a true win in my book.

[FishaHallic]

I'm sorry, I don't think she is that pretty.  Looks a little manly to me.

[JackL]

She's finished in the top 10 in all three races so far this year. Last year her performance was steady and always a threat for the win.

She's a first class driver and can definitely run with the big boys.

You act like theres 43 cars that race. Its only a 22 car field.   

The additional speed certainly makes up for less cars.

and she won on better gas milage. Thats not a true win in my book.

LMAO, tell that to all the Nascar guys who have won the same way.

Not a true win.

[quadracer1992]

she is a hot chick 

LoL

[gearhead400]

Wow what a bunch of haters. You have to have gas to run, if you didnt set up your pits right and you lose because of it, too bad for you. First women in racing to do whats shes done, i applaud her, I would even if she looked like janet reno...well maybe not    But seriously, quit hatin.

[gtnwood]

She's finished in the top 10 in all three races so far this year. Last year her performance was steady and always a threat for the win.

She's a first class driver and can definitely run with the big boys.

You act like theres 43 cars that race. Its only a 22 car field.   

The additional speed certainly makes up for less cars.

and she won on better gas milage. Thats not a true win in my book.

LMAO, tell that to all the Nascar guys who have won the same way.

Not a true win.

Well actually a lot of them boys will tell ya theyt hate ta win like that just like a rain out win, but a wins a win. Just ask the New England ExPatriots

[Anoriginal]

You need to come up to speed........... Its the Sprint Cup

Your brother owns a Sprint store doesn't he?