On the Right Track
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Gluck
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It's a good thing Danica isn't in NASCAR
Jul
23
All I could think after watching the latest in what seems like a weekly pouty, whiny moment involving Danica Patrick is: Thank goodness NASCAR's most popular driver doesn't act like the IndyCar Series' most popular driver.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. would never throw fits and stomp his feet when things don't go his way, like a spoiled child would. Yet if you do anything to slow Danica down, she apparently feels the need to confront and embarrass her competitors in a highly public way.
This weekend, Queen Danica (who has exactly one win – a fuel-mileage victory at that) stormed down to confront fellow driver Milka Duno after practice.
Someone had a video camera, which captured Danica telling Duno "It's not my fault you're slow." Danica seems to do things like this quite often, whether it's throwing a tantrum after a race or getting in the face of a rival driver.
"She came to my team and our pit box in a very bad way with bad words," Duno told the Indianapolis Star. "If you come in a nice way, perfect, we can talk. If you come in a bad way, you are going to find my bad side.
"I don't like drama, and I told her, 'Go away, you are not welcome.'"
Danica was unsatisfied with the resolution of the incident and said it got extra attention because of who she is.
"It's kind of the line that I walk because I'm popular," she told the Star.
I'm pretty sure Earnhardt Jr. would never act that way or talk like that. If he did, given the amount of media coverage he generates just by scratching his nose, it would certainly be a headache for the entire sport.
Everyone who follows NASCAR should be thankful that we have Dale, not Danica.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. would never throw fits and stomp his feet when things don't go his way, like a spoiled child would. Yet if you do anything to slow Danica down, she apparently feels the need to confront and embarrass her competitors in a highly public way.
This weekend, Queen Danica (who has exactly one win – a fuel-mileage victory at that) stormed down to confront fellow driver Milka Duno after practice.
Someone had a video camera, which captured Danica telling Duno "It's not my fault you're slow." Danica seems to do things like this quite often, whether it's throwing a tantrum after a race or getting in the face of a rival driver.
"She came to my team and our pit box in a very bad way with bad words," Duno told the Indianapolis Star. "If you come in a nice way, perfect, we can talk. If you come in a bad way, you are going to find my bad side.
"I don't like drama, and I told her, 'Go away, you are not welcome.'"
Danica was unsatisfied with the resolution of the incident and said it got extra attention because of who she is.
"It's kind of the line that I walk because I'm popular," she told the Star.
I'm pretty sure Earnhardt Jr. would never act that way or talk like that. If he did, given the amount of media coverage he generates just by scratching his nose, it would certainly be a headache for the entire sport.
Everyone who follows NASCAR should be thankful that we have Dale, not Danica.
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Comments
8 responses to "It's a good thing Danica isn't in NASCAR"
Frank Holland said:
Jul 23, 2008 at 8:43 AM""It's kind of the line that I walk because I'm popular," she told the Star." She failed to note that she's popular more because of her bikini layouts than her driving. But I guess that's splitting hairs.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportthomas wormington said:
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:02 PMMilka Duno did not make the race so I guess she was slow! I understand that everyone must start somewhere, and the best teams are going to have to deal with second and thrid rate team but those guys need to show respect towards them too. when they don't---you get what we had last week. Im not asking what Danica did was right! I'm tring to see it from both side. P.S. I'm sick of people cring about a few cuss words!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobin Drummond said:
Jul 24, 2008 at 3:25 PMIf this had been between two "middle of the packer" men, the press wouldn't have even bothered with it! But, because it was Danica, they made it into a story. Funny how that happens.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportC D said:
Jul 25, 2008 at 6:31 PMNot to defend Duno but, Thomas, she's "made" every race she was entered in. She didn't "make" Edmonton today because it wasn't on her schedule. The IRL doesn't have a high enough car count at the moment to turn anyone away for not qualifying fast enough. The exception is the Indy 500 and they usually only turn away one or two drivers who get bumped on Bump Day.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmike stalling said:
Jul 26, 2008 at 11:26 AMdanica is nothing but a sniveling little puck. there is nothing pretty about her, but the irl she is the best thing since raquel welch. go home and play with your 10 year friends, because that is the age you act.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportScott Baker said:
Jul 27, 2008 at 11:09 AMDanica, IMHO, needs to take a step back and look at what she has accomplished. 1 win, while that is good, it certainly is not amazing. For her to go down into somebody else's pits like she has a tendency to do.....I don't think she has earned it yet.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPete Benanti said:
Jul 28, 2008 at 2:41 PMShe got hosed at Indy and I would have wanted to pound on someone if that happened to me, too. But here's the skinny on that: Danica is gonna get popped and then the whole self riteous world is gonna freak out. Point being, if she wants to get in face, then she better be prepared for a good old fashioned asswhoopin.
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» Confirm Abuse Report4da88 said:
Aug 13, 2008 at 8:28 PMWell yes..I am glad we have Dale Jr instead of Danica!! However, NASCAR does have its pouters, stompers, fit throwers and whiners and fighters, etc...
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