Whoohoo, Danica Patrick makes IndyCar history by winning Japan 300
By JIM ARMSTRONG, AP Sports Writer
1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Buzz Up PrintRelated Video Danica finally wins Danica finally wins
More IRL Videos 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.
By billyb on Apr 20, 2008, 01:48 in Off Topic.
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billyb says on Apr 20, 2008, 01:49: Cool, i gues now she doesn't have to appear in Playboy to stay relevant. Wait, is that a good thing????
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slguy says on Apr 20, 2008, 08:59: yep, it's a good thing. taken a good look at that gal? pam anderson has nothing to worry about danica being a playboy threat... Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab |
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tejasmarcos says on Apr 20, 2008, 09:39: way to go danica! very cool lady indeed. very dangerous sport...... god is in your head |
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CatGirl says on Apr 20, 2008, 14:33: Thanks for keping tabs on her BB ;)...wondered what she's been up to ooops! ....Did I say that? |
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podborski says on Apr 20, 2008, 15:26: very cool. is she any part colombian? or do we just like female racing drivers?
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MaFe says on Apr 24, 2008, 18:03: Nope she isn't Colombian all but she is hot! "No comment" is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again." -Winston Churchill |
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billyb says on Apr 24, 2008, 18:34: jajaj, if she hadn't won soon, she would have had to shed what little she is wearing above, for her next photo shoot.
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 21:28: is that how it works, strip racing? admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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billyb says on Apr 24, 2008, 21:35: Nice face, but needs a little more culo to be a colombianita, no? I mean those panties are practically swimming on her, as where on a calenita, they would be practically "painted" on.
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 21:49: slightly manly, no mucho, but a little. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:02: What is that tramp stamp of on her back? I can't tell what it is. "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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billyb says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:07: jajaja, TG, didn't notice that before. Could it be an inbedded Pit Pass???
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:11: I absolutely hate nascar so I had to Google "pit pass" to see what it meant. I thought you might have been talking about a catheter or something so she wouldn't have to pee while driving. HAHA "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:16: tramp stamp, is that what those are called? I hate 'em, too, but I am old school, when only sailors and rednecks had inscriptions on their bodies. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:20: The "tramp stamp" is a phrase specifically used for tattoos on the lower backs of females... not just anywhere on the body. "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:22: I thought those bird wings were there for the girl not to have to say, "ok, big boy, make me fly". admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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billyb says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:25: I feel your pain TG, in the old days you could always spot a stripper by her lower back tattoo,but nowadays even the president's daughter has one (ok, im making that up, but you get my meaning), i mean it complicates your (i admit, feeble) plan of attack.
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:30: True, there are lots of girls with the stamp. SNL had a skit about them... the girls are in their 30s now with kids and have this huge dolphin or wings or whatever on their lower backs that you can see when they bend over to load the dishwasher or reach up high to get something out of a cabinet. lol "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:41: that's why I am only going to date older women, as I won't have to deal with all of that confusion of whether tattoos make them hookers or just regular gals. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:42: Or you wouldn't have to guess if they just didn't have any. ;) "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 22:44: well now I have to guess whether or not the older gals would have maybe had them, as the thinking is different now, so I am still confused. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:00: ok then, I am going to go with a young one, who does not have wings on her lower back, and therefore I can be sure she is not a Ho. Wouldn't ya hate to be inside this mind? admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:09: I'm surprised no one has chimed in to say that just b/c a girl has a tatt, doesn't mean she is a ho. I guess they are all asleep. ;) "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:15: as in anything you want, and at great prices. We could call her Ms. Walmart. I like her already, and don't even know her. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:19: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7139492.stm "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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christobeldawg says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:35: well now I think I do in fact know her. that's funny and sad, TravelinGirl, those two often go together. admittedly, arriving can feel great too |
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travelingirl says on Apr 24, 2008, 23:44: Actually, I think our con artist ordeal is an example of both funny and sad. Totally funny (especially with all the planning and nervousness), but sad that I couldn't afford to do it the "right" way. lol "I'm just a backwoods Barbie." |
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CatGirl says on Apr 26, 2008, 10:19: TG - Tramp Stamp!!!? I love it! Great description..jajaja ooops! ....Did I say that? |
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