Is Danicle Fever Over Already?

[pchall]

In the local snapper wrapper this morning the only other racing coverage, besides NASCAR at the regional track, was that Michael Schumacher is denying rumors of impending retirement.

Fred Nation must have been too drunk with the Kool-Aid after the Awards Banquet to issue any shilling press releases for Wednesday. ;) Is he just remembering his non-Y-gonads on this or what? :p

[Easy]

You just know the guys in charge of promo at the irl will totally screw the pooch capitalizing on the nations Danica fever.

Next May the general public will be saying, "Oh remember that girl who almost won the Indy 500? Is she still racing?"

[KLang]

I have to laugh over the 'savior of open wheel' talk here and elsewhere. By the end of this week the press will have moved on and Danica will be forgetten by all but the regular open wheel fans. The few of us still around that is.

[JLMannin]

Here's my contribution to Danica Mania: My compilation of the Indy 500 all-time 4th place finishers:


1911 R Spencer Wishart*
1912 Charlie Merz*
1913 R Albert Guyot
1914 W Jules Goux
1915 Earl Cooper*
1916 Josef Christiaens
1919 Albert Guyot
1920 R Jimmy Murphy
1921 R Eddie Miller*
1922 W Ralph DePalma
1923 Eddie Hearne*
1924 Harry Hartz
1925 Harry Hartz
1926 Fred Comer*
1927 R Wilbur Shaw*
1928 R Ray Keech*
1929 R Carl Marchese
1930 W Louis Meyer
1931 R Myron Stevens*
1932 R Bob Carey
1933 Chet Gardner
1934 Deacon Litz*
1935 R Floyd Roberts
1936 Mauri Rose
1937 W Louis Meyer
1938 Ted Horn
1939 Ted Horn
1940 Ted Horn
1941 Ralph Hepburn
1946 Emil Andres
1947 Herb Ardinger*
1948 Ted Horn
1949 R Myron Fohr
1950 R Cecil Green
1951 R Andy Linden
1952 Duane Carter
1953 Fred Agabashian*
1954 W Troy Ruttman*
1955 Johnny Thomson
1956 W Johnnie Parsons
1957 Paul Russo
1958 Tony Bettenhausen
1959 Tony Bettenhausen
1960 Don Branson
1961 Shorty Templeman
1962 Don Davis
1963 W Rodger Ward
1964 R Johnny White
1965 Al Miller
1966 Gordon Johncock
1967 R Denis Hulme
1968 Denis Hulme
1969 Mel Kenyon
1970 R Donnie Allison
1971 Jim Malloy
1972 Sam Sessions
1973 Mel Kenyon
1974 W Gordon Johncock
1975 Pancho Carter
1976 Wally Dallenbach
1977 Wally Dallenbach
1978 Steve Krisiloff
1979 Danny Ongais
1980 W Gordon Johncock
1981 R Kevin Cogan
1982 Tom Sneva
1983 Geoff Brabham
1984 R Al Holbert
1985 W Al Unser
1986 Roberto Guerrero
1987 Al Unser Jr.
1988 Michael Andretti
1989 W Mario Andretti
1990 Al Unser Jr.
1991 Al Unser Jr.
1992 Eddie Cheever Jr
1993 Raul Boesel
1994 Jimmy Vasser
1995 R Eliseo Salazar
1996 Alessandro Zampedri
1997 W Buddy Lazier
1998 Davey Hamilton
1999 Robby Gordon
2000 Jeff Ward
2001 Jimmy Vasser
2002 R Alex Barron
2003 Tomas Scheckter
2004 Bryan Herta
2005 R Danica Patrick

First two-time 4th place finisher: Albert Guyot (1913, 1919)
First back-to back 4th place finisher: Harry Hartz (1924, 1925)
First 3-time 4th place finisher (also back-to-back-to-back): Ted Horn – 1938, 1939, 1940
First time 4-time 4th place finisher: Ted Horn - 1938, 1939, 1940, 1948

Four time 4th place finishers:
Ted Horn (1938, 1939, 1940, 1948)

Three time 4th place finishers:
Gordon Johncock (1966, 1974, 1980)
Al Unser Jr. (1987, 1990, 1991)

Two time 4th place finishers:
Albert Guyot (1913, 1919)
Harry Hartz (1924, 1925)
Louis Meyer (1930, 1938)
Tony Bettenhausen (1958, 1959)
Denis Hulme (1967, 1968)
Mel Kenyon (1969, 1973)
Wally Dallenbach (1976, 1977)
Jimmy Vasser 1994, 2001)

Rookie 4th place finishers:
1911 R Spencer Wishart
1913 R Albert Guyot
1920 R Jimmy Murphy
1921 R Eddie Miller
1927 R Wilbur Shaw
1928 R Ray Keech
1929 R Carl Marchese
1931 R Myron Stevens*
1932 R Bob Carey
1935 R Floyd Roberts
1949 R Myron Fohr
1950 R Cecil Green
1951 R Andy Linden
1964 R Johnny White
1967 R Denis Hulme
1970 R Donnie Allison
1981 R Kevin Cogan
1984 R Al Holbert
1995 R Eliseo Salazar
2002 R Alex Barron
2005 R Danica Patrick

Former winners placing 4th:
1914 W Jules Goux
1922 W Ralph DePalma
1930 W Louis Meyer
1937 W Louis Meyer
1954 W Troy Ruttman
1963 W Rodger Ward
1974 W Gordon Johncock
1980 W Gordon Johncock
1985 W Al Unser
1989 W Mario Andretti
1997 W Buddy Lazier

Finishing 4th place must be very difficult to do, as the three 4-time race winners have a combined 1 4th place finish. ;) (Al Unser, 1985)

What can you historians tell me about Ted Horn? He is the all-time leader in 4th place finishes with 4 (three in a row in 1938-1940). He also had a bunch of seconds and thirds. Probably the best finishing record by far without a race win.

[JLMannin]

The "*" in the above post refer to a driver having relief help in the race.

[FRANKY]

Here's my list of 8th place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

-----------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 7th place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 6th place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 5th place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 4th place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

Danica Patrick

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 3rd place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 2nd place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's my list of 1st place finishing woman drivers in 89 years:

------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe you can finish 9-33 for us.

[Rus'L]

What can you historians tell me about Ted Horn? He is the all-time leader in 4th place finishes with 4 (three in a row in 1938-1940). He also had a bunch of seconds and thirds. Probably the best finishing record by far without a race win.

Ted Horn, along with Rex Mays, are the greatest drivers never to have won the Indy 500.

[eiregosod]

JLMannin :thumbup: :laugh:

[dando]

In the local snapper wrapper this morning the only other racing coverage, besides NASCAR at the regional track, was that Michael Schumacher is denying rumors of impending retirement.

Fred Nation must have been too drunk with the Kool-Aid after the Awards Banquet to issue any shilling press releases for Wednesday. Is he just remembering his non-Y-gonads on this or what?
We had a nice shot yesterday of the Danicle in a low-cut dress like J-Lo would wear to the Academy Awards:

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/fotosrch/3/20050530NAA104.jpg

Although St. Patrick dint need to tape hers down like J-Lo. :gomer:

I also just caught a blurb on the broadcast partner radio that mention Danicle was the first OW racer featured on SI since Sully in '87. :shakehead

-Kevin

[coolhand]

did she get an escort too?

or did she show up with Rahole?

[dando]

did she get an escort too?

or did she show up with Rahole?
Apparently she's gotta fiancee. Here's a photo search from our NS News area:

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/photosearch.jsp?cap=danica+patrick&x=10&y=15&searchType=photos&floc=ne-main-5-l1

-Kevin

[nrc]

Apparently she's gotta fiancee. Here's a photo search from our NS News area:

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/photosearch.jsp?cap=danica+patrick&x=10&y=15&searchType=photos&floc=ne-main-5-l1

-KevinI guess the impartial sources around the paddock have a taste for their own feet.

[dando]

I guess the impartial sources around the paddock have a taste for their own feet.
:gomer:

[cameraman]

Apparently she's gotta fiancee. Here's a photo search from our NS News area:

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/photosearch.jsp?cap=danica+patrick&x=10&y=15&searchType=photos&floc=ne-main-5-l1

-Kevin


He was her physical therapist...

[pchall]

did she get an escort too?

or did she show up with Rahole?

She's practicing with two fists there, buddy...

[theunions]

I also just caught a blurb on the broadcast partner radio that mention Danicle was the first OW racer featured on SI since Sully in '87. :shakehead

Actually Danny was the last to enjoy the main cover after the '85 500. Al Sr. was the last period (in the upper right corner inset) in '87.

[Amanda B.'s Mom]

yesterday a co-worker who does not follow racing at all mentioned Danica to me and another co-worker. he knew a lot about her. funny thing is that I could tell all of his info came from NPR, except he had her description down pat! He also thought it was great that a woman did so well in the race.

PS. he does not have access to internet or TV. Hmmmmmm

Amanda, i bet you know who this person is, lol!

[Methanolandbrats]

I've had lots of non-race fan friends ask me if I watched Danicle. It'll blow over...just like Scott Peterson, Jocko, the runaway bride.......blah, blah.........the public laps this crap up for a few days and then it's on to the next one.

[Ankf00]

just say no kids.

to Danica that is...

[lone_groover]

Two words: SMARTY JONES

....only Smarty had a longer shelf life because he actually won something. Remember all the blue tee shirts and the big foam fingers at Belmont? Smartymania was running wild!

So where's Smarty now? Magazine coves? Morning talk shows? Endorsing Oatmeal Energy Bars? NAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Word has it that he's found a second "life" in Thomasville, NC, adhering fruitwood veneers to table tops and china cabinets. He made a pact with his owner, and Smarty kept his bond.

Danica probably won't be as useful.


:gomer:

[rabbit]

Two words: SMARTY JONES

....only Smarty had a longer shelf life because he actually won something. Remember all the blue tee shirts and the big foam fingers at Belmont? Smartymania was running wild!

So where's Smarty now? Magazine coves? Morning talk shows? Endorsing Oatmeal Energy Bars? NAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Word has it that he's found a second "life" in Thomasville, NC, adhering fruitwood veneers to table tops and china cabinets. He made a pact with his owner, and Smarty kept his bond.

Danica probably won't be as useful.


:gomer:
Instant Classic. :rofl:

[Dvdb]

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_1258danicapat

[formulaben]

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_1258danicapat

Funny stuff.

[Jervis Tetch 1]

I'm still waiting for people to call the Indy 500 champ Danica Wheldon.

[Napoleon]

Todays NY Times.

June 3, 2005
The New Face of Racing, and Perhaps More
By DAVE CALDWELL
Danica Patrick wanted to help increase the overnight television ratings for the Indianapolis 500 by just one measly percentage point. By overcoming two mistakes and coming close to winning the race on Sunday, she pushed them up by nearly two points.

The big bump in viewers surprised her. Her historic run did not. And now, her determination may make her appealing in more ways than just as a racer. More visible than ever, Patrick might have moved into Corporate America's fast lane.

"I try this hard to do these things, whether everybody's watching or not," she said in a telephone interview from her home in Phoenix.

Patrick, the 23-year-old rookie, said she was not particularly worried about her bank account, her image or her marketability at the end of the Indy 500 or in the days leading up to the race. She wanted to help sell an event and a sport she loves.

"I kept the big picture in my mind," she said. "I never got so mad that I wanted to walk away."

She almost won the race, losing the lead to the eventual winner, Dan Wheldon, with six laps remaining, and apparently became such an appealing story that she gained new fans for herself and open-wheel racing. Now she stands to gain something else.

Patrick said she was interested in a possible career as a corporate pitchwoman, but only for the right products. It is not known exactly how interested corporations are in having her sell their products, but she has caused a stir.

"We'll have to see, to use some music parlance, if she's a one-hit wonder, or if she has legs," said Marc Ganis, the president of SportsCorp, a Chicago-based sports business consulting firm.

Patrick, wearing her fire suit, this week became the first Indy 500 driver to appear as the main photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated since a profile shot of A. J. Foyt appeared on the cover of the May 25, 1981, issue.

TV Guide, People and Us have included features on Patrick, and Time, Newsweek and Glamour have scheduled features on her. She has already appeared on several networks. She did 60 interviews in one 48-hour period last week.

"What is most impressive," Ganis said, "is that she didn't come across as a deer in the headlights."

Ganis says that while Patrick is attractive, which certainly does not hurt her marketability, there are plenty of attractive women available to sell products. But there are not a lot of women who can enter a corner at well over 200 miles an hour.

"The male athletes applauded her because they respect her as a competitor," Ganis said. "She's not a novelty act."

Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner who co-owns Patrick's car with the late-night talk-show host David Letterman, believes the interest in Patrick will only grow. She has not won an Indy Racing League race, but she has shown that she can compete with men.

"The interest ramped up a lot in May," Rahal said yesterday from his office in Ohio. "As her speeds continued to go up, the interest in her continued to go up."

But Patrick seemed to stay focused, determined and uncomplicated as she chased speed. She said yesterday that one of her best memories from Indianapolis was gathering with her family and fiancé, Paul Hospenthal, in her motor home to cook breakfast.

She said she was aware of only some of the offers that had come to Rahal and to her agent, Lynn Roach, and that she would sign only with the company, or companies, whose products she would use anyway.

Patrick posted the fastest practice speeds on two days leading up to the race. Despite a bobble on her first lap, she qualified to start fourth in the race, the best among the four women who have raced in the Indy 500.

Her duel down the stretch with Wheldon, who has won four of the five races in the I.R.L. season, was memorable because she had stalled during a pit stop and had snapped off the front left wing of her car during a spin.

But Rahal decided to keep her on the track during the last round of pit stops, pushing her to the front of the field, and she raced Wheldon for the victory before falling back to fourth place. The only thing missing from a glorious story line was a victory.

"We were all pulling for her here," said Elliott Sadler, a driver on the Nascar Nextel Cup circuit. "I think everybody kind of roots for the underdog. She was so nice, so natural. And what people, I think, are forgetting is that she's a woman, yes, but she was also a rookie."

The I.R.L., long overshadowed by Nascar, has already begun to pitch Patrick as a reason for fans to buy tickets. But the league is also hawking the talents of Wheldon, a 26-year-old Briton.

"She has a large public presence, and that is great, but we have other stories to tell, too," said Ken Ungar, the senior vice president for business affairs for the I.R.L.

Patrick said yesterday that a victory, perhaps in the next I.R.L. race, on June 11 in Fort Worth, would be "an absolutely huge milestone," and that she and her team would continue pushing hard.

"You have to keep trying harder, because everyone else is going to," she said.

Rahal, who brought Patrick to Indianapolis last year so she could see what it was all about there, will try to keep her focused on her day job. Then she can sell soft drinks or clothing or makeup.

"She has to be competitive," he said. "If she isn't, she's going to be considered as just another flash in the pan."

[chop456]

"The male athletes applauded her because they respect her as a competitor,"

I'd love to see a blind vote taken to see how many earlers really respect her. Is there a gomer in that field that's NEVER won a race in a car? Even A.J Fore!* has won something.



*Main Entry: 5fore
Function: interjection
Etymology: probably short for before
-- used by a spotter to warn anyone within range of the probable line of flight of the Foyt kid's car.