Certainly that way in something like F1. Lots of variance between the $$, technology and cars.

But isn't the IRL basically a spec race series, with cars that are for the most part relatively inexpensive and very close in technology, format, power, etc?

It was a good weekend for women racers in general. NASCAR announcer Jamie Little won the celeb race outright ahead of Mike Skinner and the Atlantic race was won by a French gal. The only thing that would have completed the sweep would have been a win by Ashley Force in funny car, but they had the weekend off.

Oh, and Ashley is another that had good parentage going in. But I don't hold that against her because no way would I climb in that beast she aims at the end of the track. Her starting reaction times are too long to really be in the game, but mine would be off the charts.

LMAO!!

I hope not...

Let's see. . . who did well this past weekend:

- Danica Patrick (won IRL in Motegi)
- DeSilvestro (won Toyota Atlantic)
- Jamie Little (won Pro/Celebrity race)
- Will Power (won Champ Car race)

3 women, 1 man

Interesting.

This whole machismo, girl-hating, "men's club" nonsense is a load of crap. If someone's a good driver who gives a rats ass what chromosome pair they happen to have? Gawd almighty the blatant sexism on display here is an embarrassment to this little online community.

For one, I think it's kind of nice that racing is becoming less of a "sausage-fest" and that there's some parity happening. If W.A.S.P. males really are the best drivers, fine. Prove it on the track and you can talk all the smack you want. Right now D.P. is the driver to beat in IRL. So what? Good for her. I'm just as happy for her as I was for Graham last week or I am for Power on the Champ side this week.

Are you guys really THAT shallow? I expected better from this crowd. Pretty disappointing.

Is it true that IRL will not let her get implants for safety reasons?

You think their biggest concern would be the anti submarine belt smashing her implants?

With a single belt she should be fine.

Anybody who can win an Indy car race.....is a gifted and skilled driver. She's got nothing left to prove in terms of her ability to drive a race car.

And quite frankly, she's HOT. Really HOT.

One weekend out of 52 ! Sounds more like the exception than the rule.

I think some here need a drink!

http://www.warpedtoys.com/images/pro...s/haterade.gif

Would you have something light and fruity for the married men in the group?

Now Paul, you're supposed to have your mind set on higher things...:p

Doesn't the neck bother you, I've decided it's the neck (thick from the G's probably)

If her chest reaches the anti-submarine belts she has bigger problems than implants!

Oh....you meant breast implants!! Sorry my bad I was thinking something to make her more...... UHM...."sporting"

How many have even tried?

How many here have won a Heisman? A Cy Young? The Heavyweight Championship of the World? An Olympic gold medal? Does that render them as "losers", unqualified to comment on those sports?

Sports stars exist for only two purposes these days. One, their original purpose, is to entertain us. The other, more modern purpose, is to sell us something. Danica does not have to win to do either. That is the only reason she retains a top ride.

Total failure, no. Successful? No, i doubt many would say that. Nice to hear that you enjoyed it though. BTW, unlike you, Danica has an IRL team* backing her. One would naturally expect far more from her.

I don't care if she's a girl or a boy, also irrelevant. The fact remains that to me one is not a success because they won a single race. LIke i said, win 4 or 5, and everyone will sing a different tune. A title would also change a few minds too...

Shrug.

Edit: Added the word "team" to a sentence.

hey ya gotta get that first win outa they way. I've seen many teams strugle then have that break though win and go on to succesive victories.(ie Fogarty and Gurney of the Gainsco team in the Rolex series last year)

My only complaint is that I wish IRL would weight the car with driver. Weighing the car without driver, in a spec class, gives an unfair advantage to the lighter drivers.(male or female)

The minimum weight now includes the driver, IIRC.

Listen, sniper, your points are valid and so are mine. You just took a pretty hard line on Danica but I can appreciate the logic.

So, let me tell another good backmarker story. Some 20 years ago there was an entry to the CART race from P.I.G. Racing. Yes, some cops had a start up team for the CART race, but they had been doing some local racing before. They showed up with one car on an open trailer behind a PU. The only such rig in the paddock. I don't know who drove, it was someone not even as good a Kevin Dobson, who himself couldn't drive at all. So, they basically were given a spot in the field since they bothered to enter. It wasn't on qualifying time, that I can tell you.

The car didn't last the whole race. Not many of these type of outfits do. But, I was so jealous of the operation. There they were driving in the LBGP and I was in the freakin' grandstands. People all around were making fun of the car. People, who if placed in one of those machines would crap their pants at Willow, not to even mention trying to drive a substandard car between those concrete walls.

I worked on the pit crew of an entry at the first shake down race here in LB that had what was called F 5000 at the time. Brian Redman won. Today's Atlantic cars turn in better lap times, but then again, the track has changed over the years.

ah, yes. Thanks for the correction. all is good then. Great drive Danica!!

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2008-03-24-patrick-irl-rule-change_N.htm