Danica (Patrick) WINS 2005 INDY 500 "ROOKIE OF THE YEAR"

[Up2Late]

(Make sure up check out the Photo section, those "thumbnail" Photos would make a great Avitar here at DU)

Danica WINS 2005 INDY 500 "ROOKIE OF THE YEAR"

Rahal Letterman Racing’s Trio Plays Prominent Role 89th Indy 500 Awards

SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Danica Patrick had one goal when she came to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for her first Indy 500. That goal was to win the “Rookie of the Year” trophy.

But, we all know she accomplished so much more during the month of May on the world’s most famous racing facility. The Roscoe, Ill., female driver drove her No. 16 Argent Mortgage/Pioneer Honda Panoz Firestone car to a spectacular fourth place finish and Monday night she reached her goal by captured the Top Rookie honors.

Patrick became the first woman to lead a lap at the Indy 500, she was the top qualified woman ever in the Indy 500 (4th), she was the highest placing woman ever (4th) and she is the second woman to win the rookie of the year honors (Lyn St. James won in 1992). But Patrick’s prominence with the media and the racing fans have given the Indy 500 and the IRL IndyCar® Series a jump in interest that hasn’t been seen in decades.

“Hey, I’m just a racer who happens to be a woman,” said Patrick after her history run Sunday. “I made several mistakes today but I am with a great team and they helped me get back in the fight for the lead. At one point, I thought, “Wow, I could actually win this thing.’ But we had to be conservative on fuel at the end. I knew Dan (Wheldon, the winner) and Vitor (Meira, her teammate who placed second) had more fuel to use and it was very difficult to hold them off.”

(More at link above)

[Enraged_Ape]

1. Yeah, she was incredible.

She made that race. Most exciting Indy 500 in years.

If she hadn't made those mistakes, she would have lapped the field. She won't make those mistakes next time.

[ewagner]

4. This pic is the coolest

<>

[Enraged_Ape]

5. She has amazing eyes

I'm sorry; she just does.

[ewagner]

6. You're right

I missed that one...thanks for posting it.

[Lerkfish]

2. cool pic

[Double T]

3. It is great to see women drivers that are competitive and...

it won't be long until she is in the winners circle. Great race!!