speaking from a female standpoint I agree with you a woman should have to earn her way in just as much as a man it should not be handed to her just because she is a woman and would hopefully boost ratings I do agree that talented drivers of any ethinicity or gender should be given a chance as well as talented drivers from other series as for danica yes I was happy when she won I do believe she has some talent even tho you have people running around saying "it was just pit stategy" how many of our drivers have won (or lost) because of pit strategy? it happens often enoiugh but the deal is those drivers have to get themselves into a position where that can come into play hell they have to get themselves into the field at that so it took her 50 races the point is she made it into the field and not at the tail end of it is it over-hyped yes and no I understand the hype for trying to bring in new fans esp women but at the same time the saturation is turning off some of the fans of the sport already there is more than just danica out there as for women or minorities just because we think they should be given a fair chance and be treated equal and get the same opportunities as the white males out there doesnt mean they are just because the head of any organization says its being done and maybe produces some #s or other evidence that says hey look we are trying appearance can be decieving there are behind the scene ways of holding someone back without giving the appearance of doing so

I agree with you, Daniel.

Here's my take on the subject. Something I wrote for a friend...

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Just Doing Her Job

Danica Patrick made history last weekend as the first "she" to win an IndyCar race. She is the first female to ever win an IndyCar Series event by winning the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi Speedway. It's not very often that you get to put the words "she," "win," and "car race" together in the same sentence.

I've been following Danica Patrick since her spectacular finish at the 2005 Indianapolis 500. I was visiting my Dad in Goodyear, Arizona the day she finished that race with a strong 4th place. I remember it well. We were in a little cafe full of after-church patrons...the Indy 500 showing on a tiny TV hanging in the corner. All of a sudden, BAM! The entire place was on its feet screaming bloody murder as Danica took the lead after a late race restart. Little did I know, the people of Arizona go nuts over Danica Patrick. Here I was in a quaint little cafe on a Sunday afternoon...nothing but whoops and hollers surrounded me. I'd never paid much attention to open wheel racing. After all, I am a NASCAR fan and I like my guys in fenders. But that day, I sat up and took notice of race cars and drivers without them...one of which happened to be a girl.

I watched the open wheel scene a little more closely after that '05 Indy race. Well, not that closely, I mean, heck I am a NASCAR fan. But, heck, I'm a girl too. I thought it was cool to follow a girl in a race car series. So I followed Danica Patrick. I learned a few more things about her. She grew up in my home state of Illinois of pretty humble beginnings, but now calls Scottsdale, Arizona home. Much of her youth and young adult years have been dedicated to racing, and with her family's support, she made it her vocation. Surely at the expense of a 'normal' upbringing...she became what is now one of the most well-known female race car drivers in the world.

One day, I remember picking up her autobiography as I stood in a Barnes and Noble store. I flipped through the pages. While I stood there, I thought..."you know, I don't really like this chick." Her words were incredibly self-centered and self-focused, self-absorbed. It was "gag me with a spoon" stuff. Dang girl, have some humility. After that, came the scantily-clad pictures, pin-up calendars, 12-yr old like girly-girl whining and crying, shoving matches, and then commercials which spoke of "beavers" and such. Not exactly the Speed Racer or role model I was looking for...I mean, Tony Stewart's middle finger is tough enough for me to explain to my 5-yr old Smoke fan.

I was at a cross roads. Here was this female racing talent for the taking, but did I want to be a taker? Was she someone I could stand up for and cheer? Could I leave all the sexist, slutty, self-absorbed crap behind and just be a fan...of her as a race car driver, no more, no less? Did what came with the "her" part really matter?

It took a while, but I finally made my decision. It was during the rain delay of the 2007 Indy 500. Danica had a great run going and was one of the drivers interviewed during the delay. I don't remember exactly what she said, but I do remember this: She was just another IndyCar driver trying to win the race to end all races. She was wet and tired, and wanted nothing more than to get back in the car and go even as she sat in 3rd...she was just like the other guys. I admired her grit. I liked what she represented. At that moment, she was a race car driver first. A girl second. The other stuff didn't matter to me anymore. I became a fan of Danica Patrick, the race car driver.

I was thrilled when she won her first Indy race last weekend. Thrilled. Not because she was a girl and did it. Not because she looks hot in a two-piece and did it. Not because she weighs less and did it. Not because she throws tantrums and stomps her feet like a 12-yr old brat and did it. Not because she had more fuel than Helio and did it. I was thrilled for a simple reason. She had a damn good day at work. I can respect that. I can cheer for that.

Danica Patrick made history as the first female race car driver to win in the IndyCar Series. But I don't think her win was historic. There's a difference. She is a race car driver in the midst of her career. Winning races is something she should work toward every time she gets behind the wheel of a race car. Hopefully, this is the first of many wins...that she does go down in history as one of the best drivers in open wheels. She may become historic. But she's certainly not there yet. There's a lot more cheering left to do.

Danica Patrick was just doing her job when she won in Japan...doing it very well. The "her" part has a nice ring to it...but that part of the win doesn't matter much to me.

Great post and I totally agree. The only possible problem I see is in assuming that racing is all about merit, at least as far as who gets behind the wheel. The all too often truth of the matter is that if you can bring sponsors and money with you and are marketable then talent is secondary. Prime example...Michael Waltrip. How many races has he been in and how many times has he won? In any pure meritocracy he would have been out of Cup long ago. Personally, I'm excited about Danica's win along the same level as I was excited about Montoya's win in Cup last year...I hope that these milestone wins will spark interest in NASCAR from a subset of our population that is currently woefully underrepresented in this sport.

P.S. Susie, great reply, as always.