Danica Snubbed at Opening of Daytona 500?

[Jericoke]

James Franco (the actor) just gave 'the most famous words in motorsports' to start the Daytona 500.  Because Patrick is racing, he didn't say 'Gentlemen Start Your Engines!', which is fine.

however, he said 'Drivers, and Danica, Start Your Engines!'

I try not to be overly sensitive to these things... traditions are fine if they don't hurt anyone.  Switching 'Gentlemen' to 'Drivers' is fine.  'Ladies and Gentlemen' would fit well... but why 'Drivers, and Danica?' 

Did he mean 'Gentlemen and Danica and flub it?

[cosworth151]

It sounded like he got a mixture of cheers and boos in response. I'm sure his publicist is already spinning it.

Maybe he's just seen her drive before. 

[cosworth151]

She lost the lead to Jeff Gordon by Turn 1, Lap 1.

[Dare]

I have to give her credit,she did win the pole for Daytona

[lkjohnson1950]

She lead 5 laps, and was 3RD late in the race before dropping to 8TH at the finish when guys with a lot more experience got to her. Pole, a top ten, and lead a lap; lots of the big guns would have been very happy with that result. Must be some talent in there somewhere.

[John S]

She lead 5 laps, and was 3RD late in the race before dropping to 8TH at the finish when guys with a lot more experience got to her. Pole, a top ten, and lead a lap; lots of the big guns would have been very happy with that result. Must be some talent in there somewhere.

   I'd say a good bit more than a lot of the rookie drivers there for sure.

 

[cosworth151]

Danica led 5 laps for a huge, multi-car team swimming in cash. Scott Speed led 2 laps for the lowest funded team on the grid, a single car family run organization. Which took more talent?

[John S]

Danica led 5 laps for a huge, multi-car team swimming in cash. Scott Speed led 2 laps for the lowest funded team on the grid, a single car family run organization. Which took more talent?

I'd have to say the pole sitter who led 5 laps.    Next you'll be suggesting  for Montoya's time in Nascar he's always been in a low budget team; remind us again how, with his known talent, his Nascar career has gone. 





 

[cosworth151]

No comparison. Earnhardt Ganassi is gigantic compared to  Leavine Family Racing. So is Stewart Haas, that Patrick drives for. Also, Speed had to race his way into the 500, his team didn't buy him points from another team.

http://www.lfr95.com/index.php

It makes me think about the days when Patrick would show up with a megabuck team in the IRL. Sarah Fisher would come in with a tiny team that she put together herself and flat outdrive Danica.

Can you even imagine Danica Patrick building a team from scratch?

[Ian]

In other words Cos, you don't like Danica. 

[lkjohnson1950]

Racing is never fair. There are a number of drivers in the world who are probably more talented than several who have jobs in F1. The ones with rides have sponsors who grease the skids for them. Doesn't mean they aren't talented, just not the most talented available. Danica has 2 advantages, she's a woman and for whatever reason there are important people who want women in racing. Second, she's attractive, sponsors love her. Wouldn't matter if she wasn't talented. She has to produce some kind of results. For a rookie, she had an excellent drive. Scott Speed has had several chances to impress people who own racing cars, and hasn't done it yet. He still could. I sincerely wish Sarah Fisher had gotten a better shot at a driving career, she's one of my favorite people in racing. It didn't happen. I also sincerely wish Danica is very successful as that will make it easier for the next woman to get a ride.

[vintly]

I know very little about Nascar or Danica, but the simple fact that there's a woman driver is a Good Thing.

Back to the thread's title, I don't think it was an intentional slur, he just messed up – badly!

[John S]

I agree on both counts Vintly.   

Motorsport is one sports area where a level field can exist for both sexes to compete together and it's time we saw many more women coming through the junior ranks of the sport.

Even though no slur may have been intended how the hell did they not have a proper plan to deal with the situation.    The pity is that the Nascar governing body has failed to realise how stupid this makes them look. - Still it got them plenty of coverage, so maybe it was intentional after all. 

[cosworth151]

Is there anyone who doesn't think that Patrick is way over rated? There are many far, far more talented female drivers active today. The only reason Patrick gets all of the hype (and, therefor, the lion's share of the sponsorship) is her willingness to take her clothes off for the cameras. If you doubt that, watch some of her soft-core porn Go Daddy adverts.

Yes, racing should do more to feature female drivers. Why not do it for what they do on the track? Sarah Fisher is a real racer. She's absolutely dedicated to the sport. The same could be said for Simona de Silvestro. I'd even rate Liz Haliday ahead of Patrick.

As I said earlier, Fisher started her own team from scratch. de Silvestro raced at Indy last year with badly burned hands. I don't see anything close to that kind of dedication from Patrick. If she has even the slightest problem, She goes looking for someone to blame.

One week earlier, Courtney Force won one of the NHRA's biggest races, the Winternationals at Pamona, in the Funny Car division. Why didn't that get the hype that Patrick did for a pole?

My 13 year old grand daughter wants to race. I think Patrick's example of "it's not what you show on the track, it's what you show in the publicity photos" sets a terrible precedent.

[Ian]

Just had a great idea for a competition, put Cos and monty side by side, put a picture of Patrick and Schumacher in front of them and see who explodes first.