Published: April 24, 2008 09:08 pm            

Patrick's win big on many fronts

Danica Patrick’s breakthrough victory in the Indy Racing League last weekend would have made a bigger splash had it not happened halfway around the world, even farther away from media coverage than the sport of open-wheel racing usually is.

But perhaps proving Patrick’s standing as a legitimate talent is the fact so many of her peers don’t feel her win is that big a deal, because she’s just that good.

And perhaps more important, Patrick recognizes a bigger picture beyond racing.

“I think that I’m definitely just part of a wave of women that are doing different things, great things outside of the normal world,” she told reporters in a teleconference after the race. “So I don’t think it’s just me, but I think it’s just showing that we’re capable of anything.

“I think this is just a great platform to be able to do good things from and to really be active in charitable causes and all kinds of things.”

A big deal was made out of the first runs by women at the Indianapolis 500. Janet Guthrie’s story was massive when she was the first woman to race at Indy in 1977. Other drivers like Lyn St. James and current IRL driver Sarah Fisher have been there since.

None of those drivers have approached the on-track success Patrick has enjoyed in her close calls and consistency. It’s been a long time since any female had this sort of success behind the wheel. St. James mentioned former drag racing star Shirley Muldowney as the last one she could think of doing so.

“(Patrick) has a chance to contend for a championship, which is really a legacy,” St. James told the Associated Press this week.

Talk of a championship may be premature, but winning is more than a dream for Patrick. Now it’s a fact. And it likely isn’t the last time she’ll be there.

“I’m only 26 and (have) four years of IndyCar and I feel like I still have so much more racing to do and years to go,” Patrick said.

As for the big picture, Patrick is third in series points, 14 behind leader Helio Castroneves.

The series’ season is still early, stopping this weekend at Kansas Speedway (Sunday, 4 p.m. CDT, ESPN2). After that is the famous month at Indianapolis getting ready for the Indy 500.



His turn?

Speaking of drivers breaking long skids away from Victory Lane, Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t been there for 70 races, nearly two full seasons.

He returns to Talladega — a favorite track of his family — for the Aaron’s 499 (Sunday, 1 p.m. CDT. Junior has won five times at the superspeedway.

“We’ve obviously had a lot of success at Talladega, there is no denying that,” Earnhardt said. “And I feel like we’re going to have a good chance this weekend, and I’m motivated by that. But I’ve felt that way all year, really."

In addition to Junior’s personal success, Chevrolet, in general, has had a great run there. Sixteen of the past 17 cars to capture the victory at Talladega were Chevys.



Notes of note

A.J. Allmendinger returns to the No. 84 car after a hiatus while the team went with veteran Mike Skinner ... Steve Wallace, son of veteran Rusty, scored his first Nationwide Series top 10 finish last weekend in Mexico City. It was his 61st career start ... Craftsman Truck series points leader Kyle Busch will skip this weekend’s race in Kansas City, ensuring a new points leader after Saturday’s event. Todd Bodine and Ron Hornaday Jr. are second and third behind Busch.



Christian Potts writes for The Norman (Okla.) Transcript.

        

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