Salt Lake Tribune, June 1, 2008: “I’m not a big fan of car racing. I don’t really understand the excitement in watching cars go around and around a track. But I have to say I’m liking Danica Patrick more and more.
Being female, I take a little personal satisfaction when females succeed in traditionally male-dominated sports. I don’t like it when female athletes are better known for their looks than their accomplishments. Anna Kournikova was a superstar, but I wondered how good of a tennis player she’d be if she had used the court as a serious stage for her athletic talents rather than a stage to flaunt her looks.
With Patrick, everyone seems happy and entertained.
Patrick has the looks to appease those who need such qualities in female athletes before they pay attention to them. She has marketed herself well, understanding the importance of interviews, meet-and-greets with fans and the star power an appearance in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition bring.
By: By Lya Wodraska
Tribune Columnist
Better yet, shortly after appearing as a model in the magazine, she made the cover when she won the IndyCar race in Japan and as part of the buildup to the Indy 500.
Speaking of which, the hype around the race was bigger than ever after her victory in April. She had finished fourth in 2005, proving she could contend.
Unfortunately for her she didn’t win, but what we got was maybe even better than a victory.
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We got Patrick’s attitude.