For those of you not up on your racing events, you missed a big one on Sunday. Danica Patrick became the first woman ever to lead a lap at the Indi 500, and she finished fourth, which is better than any woman has ever finished before in this particular race.
Now, I feel bad for Dan Wheldon, who won, primarily because I don't think I've seen an article on him yet; however, I celebrate the fact that a woman went out there and kicked a little race track ass.
She led for a really long time, and I thought she might win it, but she was running low on fuel, and she got passed by the three guys who beat her. Then a caution came out two laps from the end. What this means is that someone got into an accident (farther back), so everybody has to slow down and no one can pass. They finished the race under caution, and since no one could pass, all field positions were frozen. Now, I'm not sure that this didn't help Danica Patrick, who was running low on fuel and losing fuel pressure. Basically, they were crossing their fingers that she'd be able to finish on the fuel she had (at one point, they had her right up behind the pace car in order to cut wind resistence and save fuel), so the slower pace at the end may have helped her, but I'm by no means an expert. Had she had full fuel, I think she might have won it.
On the whole, I think I like NASCAR racing better than Indi car racing, if only for the fact that I think I saw more injuries in the Indi 500 than I see in a NASCAR race. On the other hand, NASCAR doesn't have Danica Patrick. So there you go.
At any rate, it was a very race-full day. I watched the Indi 500, went out to get some ingredients for our Memorial Day Turkey Dinner (mmm), came back about 20 laps into the Coca-Cola 600, and settled in for the evening with my race.
As far as upcoming racing events go, the NASCAR MBNA 400 is on Fox this Sunday at 12:30 ET (11:30 our time, but you usually get at least a half hour of pre-race programming, sometimes a whole hour). Additionally, if horses are more your thing, don't forget to catch the Belmont Stakes on the 11th of June.
Posted by LoWriter at May 31, 2005 03:38 PMMore bad-ass chicks AND more injuries?!?! Where do I sign up? If they're willing to put themselves in harms way, I'm willing to watch.
It's only funny until someone gets hurt... then, it's hilarious... *rimshot*
I'm not really heartless. I'm just having a little bit of an obsession with all things gritty lately... my dentist says chewing rocks is bad for my teeth, so...
horsepower it is!
Posted by: Mardou at May 31, 2005 07:35 PMMy dad, who has been a racing fan (of all types of car racing) all his life, and is not what one might say, a feminine advocate (oh yes, we have words, he and i) was jumping up and down and cheering when Danica Patrick lead the pack. i have to say, if you can win over my dad like that, damn, girl, you rock!! :o) it was an exciting race to watch!
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at June 1, 2005 10:28 AMI was perplexed as well over my father's behavior... it was as if... he was less proud of Danica than he was of himself for being proud of her...
Since I can never be happy about anything, of course, I had to get irate: "What's so novel about a girl being able to do the same as a boy?!?! Women have always known that's how it was... GEEZ, dad..."
They call me Mrs. Sunshine... :)
Posted by: Mardou at June 1, 2005 01:13 PMYeah, but up until Sunday, a woman never had done that well before. My mom was even watching, and she hates racing.
Posted by: Lo at June 2, 2005 07:34 AMI realize this is off-topic, but I found your title topical (and slightly ironic) since I just found out that the spice girls are reuniting. girl power indeed.
Posted by: rhett at June 5, 2005 09:21 AM