Danica Patrick’s situation is really not all that unique.
After all, as sports fans, we constantly are building up today’s athletes (Yes folks, racers are athletes) for no real reason and then quite often we tear them down for even less.
In this process we often fail to examine the facts involved allowing our affinity for our heros to overshadow reality.
When she burst on the scene in 2005, Patrick was as energetic and polite as anyone could possibly be, all the while demonstrating a bravado often reserved for more established drivers. She quickly became a media darling and when she finished fourth in her maiden voyage at Indianapolis by implementing a strategy that allowed her to assume the lead late in the event when others pitted, “Danica Mania” was officially kick started and the fledgling Indy Racing League suddenly had a brand entity they could market and promote.
As her popularity grew the following season; she was sought out by various companies offering her opportunities for endorsements and she quickly became the most recognizable face on the circuit despite the fact that she had never won a race in her career.
Her legend grew even more so with her sex appeal selling everything from motor oil to numerous mainstream magazines in which her bikini-clad physique was prominently displayed.
When she signed a lucrative contract to join Andretti-Green Racing in 2007. she indeed had it all, good equipment to race with, a major sponsorship deal with Motorola, and numerous endorsement deals with advertisers clamoring to be associated with this apparent “Supergirl” of open wheel racing.
But racing is a tough business and when you do not win, it can be downright brutal. Patrick was constantly enduring the same question over and over, with everyone asking when she would capture her first victory? When she finally took the checkered flag in her 51 Indy Car start in Japan due to a fuel mileage strategy rather than a fast race car, her popularity flew off the charts and she was receiving rock-star type treatment both at the track and off of it as well.
While her brand was red hot, Patrick began to show signs of stress from higher expectations and what had over time become a less than competitive Andretti-Green race team. From temper tantrums directed at competitors, to those who ran the series itself, the lady who quickly had became a “show pony” for the sport began to feel the scrutiny of the media as well as the more accomplished drivers in the series who considered her to be more hype than substance. Her most memorable loss of self-control occurred during the 2008 Indianapolis 500 in which she was involved in a collision with Penske Racing’s Ryan Briscoe. Patrick stormed down to his pit to accost him, only to be personally corralled by the IRL’s head of security Charles Burns before she could reach Briscoe. The embarrassing incident was replayed nationally for days and when the IRL failed to fine her for her actions, the series lost credibility with both sponsors and fans at a time when it could not afford it.
So it should come as no surprise that Patrick once again displayed her spoiled-brat attitude recently at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during pole day qualifications, where she took to the public address system and chastised her engineers and mechanics publicly after a lackluster qualification run for what she termed as an ill-handling car that was no good.
While her car was indeed off balance, it was the way she chose to criticize her colleagues openly in front of a throng of reporters over an open microphone that left her entire race team shaking their collective heads and wondering why such a proprietary matter had to aired with everyone in attendance.
It also provided Patrick with something she had never experienced in her career, a number of resounding boos from those in the stands.
Patrick has since quickly offered apologies to her team in numerous interviews, but the fact remains that this young lady is quickly spiraling out of control and in the process killing the golden goose that stems from her persona and not her ability to drive a race car. Patrick’s failures of late behind the wheel cannot be linked solely to the fact her team (Like all others in the series) is trying to catch the front running teams of Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi. She, too, has created obstacles by making an ill-advised foray in to Nascar this year and competing in the two series simultaneously. While her commitment to Nascar is a partial season, it detracts from her Indy Car effort, and provides yet another distraction, as she has struggled mightily in both series.
While she remains extremely popular with some of her fans, the emergence of new stars in the series, coupled with the fact that Patrick has not found her way into victory lane since April of 2008 has in many circles reduced her to just another driver in the series.
It should be noted that there are indeed many male drivers in this series that have not won a race in their careers and there are also those who have like Patrick, won a race on fuel mileage rather than having the fastest car. The great A.J. Foyt once said you will lose more races like that than you will win, and who am I to argue with a Hall Of Fame driver?
But like the often volatile Foyt, Patrick must learn that keeping your head on straight during difficult moments that are often experienced in the heat of the battle, will only enhance her ability to win races and give her resume a much needed shot in the arm.
This talented young lady is at a crossroad and must decide if she wants to sell swimsuit calendars or drive race cars, and while she may feel she is capable of both, the results on the track beg to differ. Perhaps she will make that choice after the racing season is over, and concentrate on what is best for her and her family.
I cannot blame her for taking advantage of monetary opportunities, but I can ask her to start showing respect to the institution of racing, the same one that has given her all the glitz and money she appears to be choosing over what was once indeed a promising career. While that is deeply troubling, the same series I feel she continually is disrespecting will be just fine without her.
Notes: Recording star Jewel will sing the National Anthem on race day. A high ranking executive at IMS told me on Pole Day that Jack Nicholson may indeed still be the one to wave the green flag to start the race. I, however, say no for two reasons.
First, I do not think he is in good enough shape physically to climb the steep ladder to the top of the starting platform, and secondly, there is a good chance his beloved Los Angeles Lakers will be playing that day in the NBA playoffs and Jack always sits court side for their games.
Regardless, IMS has not yet publicly named who will start the race, lending credit to the rumor. If Jack is not available, I suggest they have yours truly do the honors.
I will come a lot cheaper than Nicholson as it will only cost them a bratwurst, a lemon shake up, and an Izod Indy Car Series windbreaker. Unlike Jack, I can guarantee I will make it to the top of the starting platform and I promise not to look robotic like Tyler Hansbrough of the Pacers did last year as he was waving the green flag.
Tickets for the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 start at just $20 and are available at the Speedway box office by calling (317) 492-8500 or by logging on to the IMS web site at: indianapolismotorspeedway.com The race begins at 1 p.m. and can be heard on the IMS Radio Network on 1070 The Fan locally.
Danny Bridges, who has given up cheeseburgers and is doing ten pushups a day as he awaits the last minute call to be the ceremonial starter, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com
