Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Sue Patrickis an American professional stock car racing driver, model, and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing—her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is the only women's victory in an IndyCar Series race and her third place in the 2009 Indianapolis 500 the highest finish there ever by a woman. She competed in the series from 2005 to 2011. In 2012, she competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and occasionally...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth25 March 1982
CityBeloit, WI
CountryUnited States of America
I can handle it. I'm fine with it. It would be bad if I felt the pressure to perform along with it. But I promise you, I want to do well for myself.
I have a lot of respect for Sarah and Lyn (St. James). I think we all look at each other as competitors, if we were driving against each other.
I have never been so nervous before, including last year's Indianapolis 500. Each time a car goes by, I look up to see if they are faster than I am.
I finally led the first lap from the pole - I was happy about that.
The experience we have gained over the last year really helped us today. I really had a feel for when I could push and when I needed to be patient and not make mistakes. We just need to build on this momentum.
We definitely had the rookie card to pull out, but we don't have that any more.
It's just my story... and the lessons that I learned along the way and that it wasn't all a peachy keen, wonderful life. It was hard, and probably, when I look back on it, it's harder looking back than in the moment.
It's just silly because it's so early in the race. Obviously, he was fast. Ryan could have been a lot more patient and had a better opportunity to go out and do the job, be successful and win the race. But his, I don't know what you call it, I don't know if it was overanxious, if it was desperate, if it was a rookie-style mistake that caused it, but he didn't make a very good decision.
I told him to move over a couple of times when he was sitting in my seat right next to my engineer. He was a very nice guy. And, gosh, did he want it.
It's all about creating momentum and then keeping that going by being focused. You do what you can and let the commercials keep running so people don't forget about you during the down times.
The news is what happens on the track. That's the real news. That's why I'm here.
I hope it goes better. The only way to keep the interest level there is if it gets better and better. I can only do what I can do. I never get frustrated with expectations from everyone else. I just know I go out there and give everything I have, and if that's not good enough, then it's not good enough.
I just didn't want to get left out. I still don't. I'm not a gear head at all.
I put more pressure on myself than anyone else ever could, but I probably want this one a little bit more just because it is closer to home. But, because it's getting towards the end of the season and I'm hoping to have a few good races to close out the season, I really want to do well this weekend. I feel like I'm learning more, that I am better prepared for the events as we go along. I really am looking at these next few events as laying the ground work for next season.