Danica Patrick is not the best driver. She’s just a good driver in a series whose life seems limited, but Danica Patrick is the best thing to happen to American racing this decade and one could debate if the IRL (Indy Racing League) would still be around without her.

Danica has revitalized the league and caused millions of men AND women to tune in and advertisers to dump money into the game.

Stats this year
30 starts
0 wins
4 top 5 finishes

She’s #9 in the points race, but she’s the biggest name in auto racing in this country.  Is it because she’s pretty? Yes!   She’s competing with legacy names like Andretti and Foyt, but she gets all the press and attention, and who cares?  Men like hot chicks, especially ones that know about cars and women should be happy for the doors she has opened.

Women like Lynn St. James have competed professionally (15 starts at Indy), but the doors were blown open when Patrick hit the track.

Danica has made cause for women drivers to enter and be taken seriously, 1) because she’s good, and 2) because she can get funding as well as anyone else. At this point I don’t think anyone is expecting a woman to win a championship, but at least they’re seen as competition and not a novelty. 

Auto racing in America is gasping for air and anything that gets attention is good for me a good for you. It might be sexist, it might be chauvinistic, but Danica Patrick is hot, drives fast and has the country’s attention (and mine).

 What about you?