Danice has a weight problem...

[bajafox]

...she's too light. (oops, I meant DANICA)

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/blog/roy_s_johnson/post/To-the-IRL-size-matters?urn=top,73900

Friday, Mar 28, 2008 1:17 am EDT

To the IRL, size matters
By Roy S. Johnson / Roy S. Johnson blog
If you say something long enough – no matter how absurd, illogical or wrong it may be – someone just might start to believe it. That's the only way to explain how the open–wheel folks at the Indy Racing League came to implement its latest rule change: From now on, the minimum weight for IRL cars must include the driver.

What's the big deal? Well, it just so happens that the lightest driver on the circuit is a woman. And not just any woman. It's Danica Patrick, whose hotness (off the track more than on it) has made her the most popular driver in open–wheel racing.

At just 100 pounds, she weights 20 pounds less than the two other women on the circuit, Milka Duno and Sarah Fisher. The heaviest driver, according to the IRL guide, is 165–pound Ed Carpenter.

The rationale for the move? Patrick told USA Today that she asked IRL honchos for a reason for the change. "They didn't really have one," she said.

I guess it wouldn't exactly have been smart for her to just call a lug a lug. But I will. It's stupid, and it sounds like good' ole hateration.

There was buzz in IRL garages about Danica's slight size providing her with some unfair advantage almost since the moment she burst onto the scene – and we do mean burst! – three years ago by becoming only the fourth woman to qualify for the Indy 500 and the first to actually lead the race. She also finished fourth, the best showing ever by a woman. Danica even admits that in a sport where less weight can mean higher speeds, being light offers a slight edge.

In 2005, rival teams were outed in an AP story, saying Danica might gain as much as one mph due to her size.

Whatever. If it were that much an advantage, why has Danica not won a single race in 47 tries?

It might be fair to call Danica, one of the highest–earning female athletes on the planet, the Anna Kournikova of the grease set since her results have not yet lived up to the hype. But it's pretty hard not to think this rule change was just the sad result of the constant whining of her competitors.

The IRL took great pains to prevent us from calling this the "Danica Rule." Circuit spokesman John Griffin said the new rule would lessen the disparity between the lightest and heaviest drivers, which can be as much 100 pounds. (Have the IRL's tubbies not heard of Jenny Craig?)

Uh–huh.

Look, I fully understand efforts to create a level playing field, whether in racing (NASCAR has weight requirements) or elsewhere in our society. Disparities that provide one group with an unfair advantage over another – in sports, in the workplace, in the classroom, wherever – are growing more and more outdated with each passing day. Thankfully.

But throw in the potential new NFL rule banning hair from hanging from under a player's helmet beyond his name, and I began to wonder whether sports, which typically has been a stage for change in America, is lurching backward just as the rest of the nation slowly – and almost historically – moves ahead.

[Tristar Racing]

I cant believe people get payed to write some of the crap they do. If its a performance advantage every other series has rules to cancel out, why should the IRL be outed for this rule change?

More to the point, the day I won my first autocross, I was able to say "I have won more races than Danica Patrick."

If anyone wants a reason to hate this woman, just ask. One of my good friends works for Pi Research, which does the telemetry for the IRL. He has some good stories...

[bajafox]

Ok Robby, time for you to race IRL, you said so! haha:D

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?series=wc&id=2070899

CONCORD, N.C. – Robby Gordon accused Danica Patrick of having an unfair advantage in the Indianapolis 500 and said Saturday he will not compete in the race again unless the field is equalized.

Gordon, a former open-wheel driver now in NASCAR, contends that Patrick is at an advantage over the rest of the competitors because she only weighs 100 pounds. Because all the cars weigh the same, Patrick's is lighter on the race track.

"The lighter the car, the faster it goes," Gordon said. "Do the math. Put her in the car at her weight, then put me or Tony Stewart in the car at 200 pounds and our car is at least 100 pounds heavier.

"I won't race against her until the IRL does something to take that advantage away."

[Tristar Racing]

What are those stories?

It's publicly known her dad is a major jerk, yelling/berating the team during pitstops (when she was with RLR). I spoke with a IPS driver (now in IRL, was injured in Q'fying today), who told me she's shown rudeness to fans. Plus, she isn't that fast.

"Your character defines your destiny"

I monitor the IRL forums, & many people have said:

"even if she wins her 1st race, we won't be impressed"

gIRL is being proppped up by FTG (f**G Tony George) using Danicant, a fake marketing ploy. Not only an insult to racing, but women. There are qualified women racers, & this doesn't advance that

I could go on and on with the stories, suffice to say she is difficult to work with, blames everyone and everything but herself for not winning, and feels everyone should treat her better than other drivers, especially her team mates. Her hissy fits you see on TV are nothing compared to the crap she pulls at the track during practices. Is there a way to hear her car audio? Ive been to the races as obviously has my Pi Research buddy, lets just leave it at "its commical."

Most drivers fly on an IRL charter, but not her. Like I said, I could go on for hours with specific instances and issues.

Dont single out just Tony George, Nascar had an IRL type moment today, after the truck race they interviewed the winner Dennis Setzer, the very next interview was Chrissy Wallace, after an "amazing" 18th place finish... :confused:

[RGFan]

I also have heard alot about her tantrums. But the girl can drive, I hate to admit it because I am easily annoyed by people with attitudes. But the girl can drive.

[Tristar Racing]

I also have heard alot about her tantrums. But the girl can drive, I hate to admit it because I am easily annoyed by people with attitudes. But the girl can drive.

When/if she ever wins a race, in any series, I might be inclined to agree...

[RGFan]

When/if she ever wins a race, in any series, I might be inclined to agree...

If she was racing in the IRL 10 years ago, she would be a 500 winner and an IRL Champion. People do not realize how competetive the IRL is, the CART snobs really never gave the IRL the credit it has deserved since 2002

[Tristar Racing]

If she was racing in the IRL 10 years ago, she would be a 500 winner and an IRL Champion. People do not realize how competetive the IRL is, the CART snobs really never gave the IRL the credit it has deserved since 2002

She has some of the best equipment, even when she was with Rahal Letterman it wasnt bad, they were good at the time. If she has good equipment, and she is as good of a driver as she is billed, then why no win?

Other drivers do more with less, in my opinion. Like I said, I might ammend this thought process when she actually wins. The closest she came to winning was at Indy, with a fuel milage gamble.

I think Robby should go back to the IRL, they seem to like to pay attention to cars that are one lap down... oh wait, its because its Danica... ;)

[Tristar Racing]

Wow unlucky deal for Kanaan. How much you want to be he will be about 50x less whinny about getting taken out then say, Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart would be?

Not a bad show for the IRL. I still say Robby should go all out for a win at the plate tracks and/or the road courses, be able to say he was the last owner/driver and single car team to win in the Nascar Cup series, sell the team and the top 35 points for a small fortune, and start an IRL team. Even the announcing was better than the typical Nascar BS.

[RGFan]

We can agree to disagree with Danica. If she was driving just becasue she was another pretty face, then Jenny McCarthy would be a seasoned vet by now in the IRL, along with Eva Longoria and Kristen Davis.

As far as RG starting an IRL team, Why does he have to quit Nascar. The guy gets 8 legitimate IRL offers from legit teams just a few weeks ago during the whole points penalty debacle. I do not think he would have any issues picking up sponsorship for a full time team/s in the IRL. If he is hell bent on racing Nascar, let him hire a couple of other boots to drive and he can pick the IRL races he wishes to race. Hopefuly the IRL will be able to incorporate Long Beach in the years to come. RG can do Long Beach, Indy and what ever else he chooses to run. His new shop is big enough to house the IRL teams and his Nascar stuff with room to spare. More money equals more tech that can be shared across the board. Penske raves all of the time about the advantages he feels he gets from having everything under one roof.

[PMAZ7]

I also have heard alot about her tantrums. But the girl can drive, I hate to admit it because I am easily annoyed by people with attitudes. But the girl can drive.


If she was racing in the IRL 10 years ago, she would be a 500 winner and an IRL Champion. People do not realize how competetive the IRL is, the CART snobs really never gave the IRL the credit it has deserved since 2002

I believe the term "Fan" in your signature sums it up. As soon as you start to realize that racing is not a sport, but a business first, you'll change your opinions. I don't fault you on your opinions, because you don't know any better, but racing involving "fads" (such as the newest woman driver) is complete B.S. and handled as such in each series. There is no reasoning to back up your statement that "the girl can drive" other than clear rule bending behind the scenes. Again, not an attack on you, just the truth while using your statements as reference. Milka Duno doesn't even belong on the interstate let alone a racetrack. There is not one thing going on behind her eyes...

[RGFan]

I believe the term "Fan" in your signature sums it up. As soon as you start to realize that racing is not a sport, but a business first, you'll change your opinions. I don't fault you on your opinions, because you don't know any better, but racing involving "fads" (such as the newest woman driver) is complete B.S. and handled as such in each series. There is no reasoning to back up your statement that "the girl can drive" other than clear rule bending behind the scenes. Again, not an attack on you, just the truth while using your statements as reference. Milka Duno doesn't even belong on the interstate let alone a racetrack. There is not one thing going on behind her eyes...

With all due respect, you do not know what the hell you are talking about when reffering to my quotes. I have been around racing for the better part of my entire life. Not to say I am an expert by any means, but have close friends and family who are "in the industry" (SCORE, CART/CCWS, SCCA, Nascar) not working at a driving school. The rule bending that goes on, happens to many, not just women. Many big names have had many helping hands so to speak along the way. As far as Milka Duno is concerned, I agree, she belongs racing go-karts, if that even. But if you are comparing Milka Duno to Danica Patrick, you really need to do some homework and talk to some people "in the know". Not trying to start anything, just a retort to your response. Danica Patrick is probably one of the most talented female drivers in the last 25 years to hit the track.........I am not comparing her to Mario, AJ or any of the Unsers, but she has earned her way as much as anybody. She won several national go-karting championships, she moved to Europe at 16 to grow her talent, including racing Formula Fords and placing second at the Formula Ford Festival, the highest finish ever earned by an American, male or female. She also placed third in the Toyota Atlantic Series in 2004, Quite an impressive resume compared to some, who have made it to the IRL. That does not happen by accident or because you have a nice arse, although it does look nicer then Tony Stewart's;)

[RGFan]

Well, she just won Motegi, by a 5 second lead, people who can not drive do not pull stuff like that off, not in the big leagues anyways;)

[Tristar Racing]

Well, she just won Motegi, by a 5 second lead, people who can not drive do not pull stuff like that off, not in the big leagues anyways;)

Derrick Cope did, and his win wasn't even a fuel gamble...

[RGFan]

Derrick Cope did, and his win wasn't even a fuel gamble...

Your actually going to compare a restirctor plate race, after Dale Sr cut a tire in turn 3 on the final lap and held everybody up, Cope was the only guy to get by....Try again;)

[Tristar Racing]

Your actually going to compare a restirctor plate race, after Dale Sr cut a tire in turn 3 on the final lap and held everybody up, Cope was the only guy to get by....Try again;)

Yea your right, Cope actually needed skill to be in second place, Danica and her lack of talent allowed her car to be slower and save fuel. Good call, definitely not that similar upon second look... ;)

[jonathanb]

When/if she ever wins a race, in any series, I might be inclined to agree...


I guess that you can agree now. She won the race yesterday in Japan.

[RGFan]

Yea your right, Cope actually needed skill to be in second place, Danica and her lack of talent allowed her car to be slower and save fuel. Good call, definitely not that similar upon second look... ;)

Well, I guess the pass on Tony Kanaan for the lead was just luck.......Come on Matt, I have alot of respect for you and your contributions to this site, but I have to respectfully disagree with you here. As far as the Derrick Cope comparison......He was competetive in what, one race, he is the most unremarkable winner of the Daytona 500 ever, they dont even invite him to the winners photo every year he is so bad....Danica is consistantly a top 5 - 8 car in her series. She won that race fair and square, I did not hear you calling out Jimmy Johnson for winning with fuel strategy at Phoenix last week

[b-makk]

Well, I guess the pass on Tony Kanaan for the lead was just luck

Not taking any sides here but didn't he say he allowed her to pass because he thought she was a lap down?

[pappawheely]

165 lbs. is a tubbie????

[Demp]

when i was a tike and still racing shifter karts... i saw danica when she still raced karts at a few nationals... she was chubby when she was younger...but still knew how to throw princess like fits if she didnt get her way :eek:

[Kartman]

165 lbs. is a tubbie????

Depends on the height

[michael_loomis]

ya... could just be "Big Boned" :D

[pappawheely]

Depends on the height

I would have to be 3' 4" tall. :(

[harleys dad]

Well, I guess the pass on Tony Kanaan for the lead was just luck.......Come on Matt, I have alot of respect for you and your contributions to this site, but I have to respectfully disagree with you here. As far as the Derrick Cope comparison......He was competetive in what, one race, he is the most unremarkable winner of the Daytona 500 ever, they dont even invite him to the winners photo every year he is so bad....Danica is consistantly a top 5 - 8 car in her series. She won that race fair and square, I did not hear you calling out Jimmy Johnson for winning with fuel strategy at Phoenix last week
being that she is a top 6-8 car, does that mean she is good, or the whole feild sucks and makes her look good. I have seen her finish 6th, and be a lap or 2 behind, oh boy. IRL has no excitment like champ car did in its hayday. I have watched a couple of races and it is like Nascar truck, nobody in the stands, boring. Get her on a road cource where real talent is needed to keep yourself on track and out of the wall. All racing takes a degree of talent, ovels a lot less. It was a great day when shumacker told the world he would not lower himself to race Indy or any other circle track, that it was a stupid concept and was a lower form of auto racing that takes minimul talent. She won, good for her, when she wins a road or city circut or places top 2-3 then I will change my opinion of her. Untell then she had one given to her just like many many many drivers have in the past.

[RGFan]

being that she is a top 6-8 car, does that mean she is good, or the whole feild sucks and makes her look good. I have seen her finish 6th, and be a lap or 2 behind, oh boy. IRL has no excitment like champ car did in its hayday. I have watched a couple of races and it is like Nascar truck, nobody in the stands, boring. Get her on a road cource where real talent is needed to keep yourself on track and out of the wall. All racing takes a degree of talent, ovels a lot less. It was a great day when shumacker told the world he would not lower himself to race Indy or any other circle track, that it was a stupid concept and was a lower form of auto racing that takes minimul talent. She won, good for her, when she wins a road or city circut or places top 2-3 then I will change my opinion of her. Untell then she had one given to her just like many many many drivers have in the past.


Your hatred is blinding your common sense. I am not comparing her to Schumi. What I said is she could drive. If all of these drivers in the IRL are so horrible, why arent the rest of you at the track trying to replace them...........Exactly.......... Most of the drivers in the IRL now are top tier open wheelers, the best that the US has to offer. Yes the IRL still has some things to work out since the merger, and yes it is not what CART once was yet. And yes there are a few field fillers, much like Nascar. But for the majority, they do not just get one of these rides because they know somebody or they have a drivers license, (unless their name is AJ Foyt the 4th). Some of the best drivers during CART's strong years are now owners in the IRL and they are the ones placing these drivers into THEIR CARS. If you do not think that they do not know or have an eye for talent, well then, I have to question your eye for talent, respectfully.

[Tristar Racing]

RGFan might have to change his name to DanicaFan...

;)

She is talented, shes a pain in the butt, cant we all just get along?

[michael_loomis]

he always has been silly.. thats not a RG for Robby Gordon.. its for racing girl :)

[OldStroppeTeam]

She is talented, shes a pain in the butt, cant we all just get along?

Change the she to HE and doesn't it describe our favorite topic on here RG His self ?!

[RGFan]

he always has been silly.. thats not a RG for Robby Gordon.. its for racing girl :)

I will take that as a compliment coming from a wine tasting, pole smoking skin flutist:D:D;)

[michael_loomis]

wine tasting sure... where did the rest come from ??