If Danica were a man, she'd not have the attention (good and bad). Plain fact is, she isn't a man (I know, I have an amazing ability to state the obvious
). To that end, she deserves creds for being a pioneer. Also, I know that the worst driver in that field of 33 (or even the ones that didn't make it) better on a bad day with a hangover than I will ever be!
Was she going to punch him out? Heck no! She wanted to vent. Besides, in car racing that is just good theater. She wanted the fans in the stands in turn 4 to know it wasn't her fault. Remember the "thrill from West Hill"? Paul Tracy was in a shouting match every week (and even a few full blown fist fights) and his fans loved it.
Don't even get me started on the mullets in Crashcar.
Bottom line: racing is a
show. The fans are loyal to their drivers. As a result, the sponsors pay the big bucks to get their stuff in front of the fans and on TV. Winning races just means more fans. Could they eliminate half the stupidity in racing? Sure but the fans would diminish as well. (Again Crashcar proves how much fans love stupidity, but I digress).
I'll probably get flamed for the above so here's the disclaimer: Crashcar drivers are better than me as well.
So, will Danica be another Rick Mears, AJ Foyt, Mario, Michael, Little Al, or Danny Sullivan? Probably not. Is she a fairly attractive female racer that is dam fast? Yup and more power to her. Does she have a weight advantage? Sure but she also has a strength disadvantage. Now, lets talk about how
BADLY they hacked up the broadcast this year with commercials!!!