Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:12 pm
Another Danica Controversy?
By Tony Castaneira
Once again Danica Patrick has managed to steal the spotlight from the rest of the IndyCar Series field. Since her arrival to Indycar, Ms. Patrick has been a media lighting rod. Her actions off the track have in many ways overshadowed her on-track accomplishments. Temper tantrums, physical altercations and bikini modeling has helped to secure her place as the IRL’s most recognizable face. Hardly a day goes by where her name does not create a polarizing effect among racing fans.
For some, she is the face and future of the series, as she brings attention to their favorite sport that otherwise would be ignored by the non-racing media. They look at her as a ground breaking athlete who has not only crossed the gender barrier but tore it down. For others, she is a spoiled media darling who has used her gender to blur the fact she is, well, not that good.
Whichever side of the debate you land on, there is no denying that she brings much needed attention to the sport.
This brings us to the latest Danica incident in St Petersburg. This time it involves IndyCar Series rookie Raphael Matos.
Notice I have been saying “incident” not accident. With Ms. Patrick it is never only what happens on the track but her actions afterward which combine into an “incident.”
Matos attempted a pass after Patrick had been slowed up while passing a back-marker on the tight course. Using his momentum, “Rapha” dove inside the Andretti Green Racing Dallara of Ms. Patrick. She maintained her racing line, causing them to come together, sending them both hard into the barriers.
At first view it appears that Matos was at fault as Ms. Patrick had maintained her line. The Versus Network did an excellent job of following the incident with various camera angles, including an in-car shot from Danica’s car.
This is when what should have been just another racing accident turned into a “Danica Incident.” Once they extricated themselves from the battered wreckage Patrick tapped Matos on the helmet as if to say 'Use your head.' Then the two had what could best be called a lively discussion while they waited for their ride back to pits.
Danica has a history of being “physical’ with other drivers who dare to be involved in a wreck with her. Jaques Lazier in the 2005 Fontana race and Dan Wheldon at Milwaukee in 2007 have both felt her well publicized wrath. Some see that as a “feisty’ woman who won’t allow herself to be pushed around by anyone. Many see it as a girl who hides behind her gender, knowing no one will dares to respond physically with a female.
Afterwords Versus showed an apparently incredulous Matos explain his side of the story to the obviously incensed Ms. Patrick, as most were quick to side with the Andretti Green Racing driver.
After further review I would have to differ.
Danica was plodding along in ninth place and was not in contention for a podium. Matos was closing fast and saw a chance to move up when Danica was slowed when trying to lap a much slower Stan Barrett. Entering the turn, Rapha dove to the inside while Ms. Patrick maintained her line which led to both ending up in tire barriers.
Raphael Matos’ attempt at a pass was the kind of ambitious and hasty move a rookie would make. The corner is a difficult but not impossible place to make a pass. Being that street course drivers have to jump at any opening that presents itself to move up the leader board.
Danica is entering her fifth season as an IndyCar Series driver and made a questionable decision that a racer with her experience should not have made. Realizing that the car didn’t have the speed of the leaders that day, an experienced driver would have used pit strategy to move up and keep clear of trouble. But most importantly, bring home the car and earn valuable points.
Instead, Danica, who admits seeing Matos in her mirrors and yet refused to give an inch, received far fewer points and close to $100,000 in damage to her Motorola sponsored Dallara
So there you go. Another incident involving Danica Patrick that has drawn much more fan and media interest than if it had happened to other drivers.
***
Visit the South Florida Motorsports Report at http://www.sfmreport.com
Once again Danica Patrick has managed to steal the spotlight from the rest of the IndyCar Series field. Since her arrival to Indycar, Ms. Patrick has been a media lighting rod. Her actions off the track have in many ways overshadowed her on-track accomplishments. Temper tantrums, physical altercations and bikini modeling has helped to secure her place as the IRL’s most recognizable face. Hardly a day goes by where her name does not create a polarizing effect among racing fans.
For some, she is the face and future of the series, as she brings attention to their favorite sport that otherwise would be ignored by the non-racing media. They look at her as a ground breaking athlete who has not only crossed the gender barrier but tore it down. For others, she is a spoiled media darling who has used her gender to blur the fact she is, well, not that good.
Whichever side of the debate you land on, there is no denying that she brings much needed attention to the sport.
This brings us to the latest Danica incident in St Petersburg. This time it involves IndyCar Series rookie Raphael Matos.
Notice I have been saying “incident” not accident. With Ms. Patrick it is never only what happens on the track but her actions afterward which combine into an “incident.”
Matos attempted a pass after Patrick had been slowed up while passing a back-marker on the tight course. Using his momentum, “Rapha” dove inside the Andretti Green Racing Dallara of Ms. Patrick. She maintained her racing line, causing them to come together, sending them both hard into the barriers.
At first view it appears that Matos was at fault as Ms. Patrick had maintained her line. The Versus Network did an excellent job of following the incident with various camera angles, including an in-car shot from Danica’s car.
This is when what should have been just another racing accident turned into a “Danica Incident.” Once they extricated themselves from the battered wreckage Patrick tapped Matos on the helmet as if to say 'Use your head.' Then the two had what could best be called a lively discussion while they waited for their ride back to pits.
Danica has a history of being “physical’ with other drivers who dare to be involved in a wreck with her. Jaques Lazier in the 2005 Fontana race and Dan Wheldon at Milwaukee in 2007 have both felt her well publicized wrath. Some see that as a “feisty’ woman who won’t allow herself to be pushed around by anyone. Many see it as a girl who hides behind her gender, knowing no one will dares to respond physically with a female.
Afterwords Versus showed an apparently incredulous Matos explain his side of the story to the obviously incensed Ms. Patrick, as most were quick to side with the Andretti Green Racing driver.
After further review I would have to differ.
Danica was plodding along in ninth place and was not in contention for a podium. Matos was closing fast and saw a chance to move up when Danica was slowed when trying to lap a much slower Stan Barrett. Entering the turn, Rapha dove to the inside while Ms. Patrick maintained her line which led to both ending up in tire barriers.
Raphael Matos’ attempt at a pass was the kind of ambitious and hasty move a rookie would make. The corner is a difficult but not impossible place to make a pass. Being that street course drivers have to jump at any opening that presents itself to move up the leader board.
Danica is entering her fifth season as an IndyCar Series driver and made a questionable decision that a racer with her experience should not have made. Realizing that the car didn’t have the speed of the leaders that day, an experienced driver would have used pit strategy to move up and keep clear of trouble. But most importantly, bring home the car and earn valuable points.
Instead, Danica, who admits seeing Matos in her mirrors and yet refused to give an inch, received far fewer points and close to $100,000 in damage to her Motorola sponsored Dallara
So there you go. Another incident involving Danica Patrick that has drawn much more fan and media interest than if it had happened to other drivers.
***
Visit the South Florida Motorsports Report at http://www.sfmreport.com
Last edited by Moderator on Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:23 pm, edited 3 times in total.