Saturday, May 26, 2018
By Shane Beck
Salt Lake City, UT
A race fan turned media member covering racing in general but a little heavy towards NASCAR, I find this years Indianapolis 500 to be a slight bit somber. I know many of you are laughing right now, some of you may even be celebrating this day. The day the Danica Patrick races in her last professional race as a IndyCar driver!
I remember the day Danica started her professional career in IndyCar, I even remember her fist victory in Japan on April 20, 2008, the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Montegi in Montegi, Japan. Making her the first female winner in IndyCar racing history.
Patrick had many firsts in her career, the first woman to win the pole of the Daytona 500 (February 18, 2013), or for that matter the first woman in the history of NASCAR to win a pole for any race. She was also Rookie of Year in the 2005 Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Racing with three pole positions in her 2005 season.
Danica Patrick grew up on Wisconsin, she began karting at the age of ten with much success, winning the World Karting Association Grand National Championship three times in the mid 1990s. She dropped out of high school with her parents permission in 1998, and moved to the United Kingdom to further her racing career. Patrick competed in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before returning to the United States in 2001 due to a lack of funding.
Danica was fortunate to have landed Go Daddy as a sponsor, a partner who was able to fund her way into NASCAR making Danica Patrick a household name.
Over the years many have become true Danica Patrick fans, I have personally witnessed her apparel trailer as one of the midway's busiest with lines 7 wide and 10-15 people deep waiting to purchase her merchandise. I would look around and trailer just next door had no one in line or very few. I've also spoken with fans who cut her zero slack, all based on her on track performance. As a long time racing enthusiast I can completely understand how they may feel. I also understand the bigger picture, how Danica has paved the way for many female competitor, giving young ladies hope that some day they to can race at NASCAR's top level or perhaps race in the Indianapolis 500.
I have become a fan of Danica Patrick, I admire what she has done, how she has achieved the success she has had and how she has given so many hope. I WILL be pulling for Danica Patrick to win her final Indianapolis 500 race on May 27th of 2018. I also hope that Danica doesn't completely walk away from racing, that she can get involved to help others achieve their life long dreams! #GoDaddy #GoDanicaPatrick
No comments:
Post a Comment