Inspiring? Not?
Could you elaborate? Is this an Indy 500 thing?
Somewhere in between.
I think it’s cool that there were 3 women racing in the Indy 500. On the other hand, while the world of race car driving is (presumably) an Old Boys Club, with a strong dose of fast cars and who has the most sponsor money influencing who wins. (And, while I won’t deny that there is significant skill and strategy involved, I think factors beyond the control of the driver(on the racetrack on race day) account for more than 90% of who wins).
Besides, I’m not a fan of car racing. I watch the Indy 500 when I remember–which I didn’t this year–although bad reception on my tv played a part as well.
And there’s a large part of me which thinks that it’d would be neat to see a woman win the Indy 500-- or a major NASCAR race.
But on the other hand, Car Racing is a pretty petty arena to seek equality in.
So if we never see an Indy 500 won by a woman, or see more than a sprinkling of women racing in it, oh well.
I’m torn. On the one hand, I have no interest in NASCAR and think it’s probably a bad idea (waste of gas, bad for the environment), but on the other hand, it’s nice to see women getting into the act and being treated as equals instead of sideshows. Or haven’t we reached that point yet? At least they’re not in bikinis.
So yeah, go Patrick, Fisher, and Duno!
I feel the same way about poker. I’d like to see a woman win the WSOP main event or a World Poker Tour title, but in the grander scheme of things it’s not that important.
Well, as Sarah Fisher says…
I think it’s amazing. I grew up in Indianapolis and remember quite clearly when Janet Guthrie managed to qualify for the race, the first woman ever to do so.
I don’t think equality means everything will ever be 50/50, or should; but it’s neat how many more doors can be opened (by the right person, anyway) nowadays.
I’m divided as well. I’m thrilled that more women are joining the sport, but I’m pretty convinced that only one of the current three has any talent (and even she could’ve probably used a little more time and seasoning in Lights).
Sarah Fisher is just an okay driver - I don’t see her winning a race, and I see her best finishes consistently being 4th or 5th. Which is excellent, granted - she’s a better driver than I’ll ever be. But there’s little denying that she was pressured into the big league way before she was ready because her team owners saw money and sponsorship. If they’d let her develop, I think she’d be a better driver than she is.
IMO, Salo’s a joke. She’s a perfect example of “Let’s cash in on big money and ride Patrick’s coattails as far as we can.” I really don’t feel that she has any business being out there. Does she have a ride for the rest of the season? I honestly don’t know, but I’m hoping that she’s racing in all the races. If she isn’t, then I have even less respect for her and her team.
By far, Danica Patrick has the most talent of the three. She’s a driver first, and a female second, if you catch my drift, and that’s how I want women racers to be perceived. That’s when we’ll be seeing true equality. She’s an excellent driver, and I think she’s got the stuff to win a good number of races. I think that Rahal did make a mistake bringing her up so early from Lights - I think she might have benefited from another year - but I also think that Michael’s brought up Marco too early as well. That said, I think Patrick is the best reflection of women in racing.
You do realize that the Indy 500, the race these three women competed in, is not a NASCAR race, right?
And I wouldn’t be surprised to see Danica posed in less than her driving suit.
She already has, she was in FHM a couple years ago. She’s been given offers by Playboy but has turned them down.
Nope, and I care just as much.