A League of Her Own
Posted: 2008-05-12 13:02:44
When it comes to auto racing, Danica Patrick is in a league of her own.
One of the most talented drivers in the sport today, her every action is scrutinized more than any other driver today because of her gender.
Facing discrimination throughout her career, Patrick has proven time and again she can compete with the best, but it wasn’t until her first trip to the Indianapolis 500 that fellow drivers, the media and the public took notice.
Now, after years of frustration and countless questions about her failure to win, Patrick has proven the critics wrong with her recent historic victory at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300.
Correspondent Frank Deford revisits the Indy Racing League’s most dynamic star on Monday's Real Sports on HBO (10PM ET/PT).
Danica Patrick waits to qualify for the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, April 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Orlin Wagner, AP
LEXINGTON, OH - JULY 18: Danica Patrick drives the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series The Honda 200 on July 18, 2008 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
IndyCar driver Danica Patrick drives her Motorola Honda through a turn Friday, July 18, 2008 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, during practice for this weekend's Honda Indy 200. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar
AP
IndyCar driver Danica Patrick walks through the paddock to pit road for practice Friday, July 18, 2008 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, for this weekend's Honda Indy 200. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar
AP
Danica Patrick speaks at a press conference Friday, July 18, 2008 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, prior to practice for Sunday's Honda Indy 200. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar
AP
Forest Whitaker, right, and Danica Patrick present the best upset award at the ESPYs Awards on Wednesday July 16, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP
Indy car racer Danica Patrick arrives at the ESPYs Awards on Wednesday July 16, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
Indy car racer Danica Patrick arrives at the ESPYs Awards on Wednesday July 16, 2008 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
IRL race car driver Danica Patrick arrives on the red carpet at the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California July 16, 2008. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
IRL race car driver Danica Patrick arrives on the red carpet at the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California July 16, 2008. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
2008-05-12 13:01:03
