During Danica Patrick’s next season in the 2006 IRL IndyCar Series, a teammate died in a crash and Danica withdrew from the first race. This may have set her back, but she still managed to place 12th overall for the season. The 2007 season added an improvement to her record 8th place overall. Clearly, she is improving and intends to prove herself among male racers.
Danica has obviously has given men in her league a run for their money. She has yet to claim a prominent victory overall, but she is clearly improving with each season. She remains to be one of the few in her profession that are female with usually around five women competing in total each season. In fact, she has become under recent criticism that she is not performing well enough. Other drivers claim that had she been male, she would not be on such a high-standing race team like the one she is on now. Critics are quick to point out that she has yet to experience a professional winning position overall.
Despite the criticism, Danica looks ahead with high hopes. She has even recently started a fan club, so that she may talk to fellow fans on a more personal level. This has been a great confidence booster to Danica, and she has received support from racing fans and women alike. Access to the fan club gives members race information, giveaways, and a newsletter to help keep fans up to date on he current statistics and news. You can find it at: www.danicaracing.com/
Danica Patrick may not be the first woman in IndyCar racing, but she is surely winning over the support for females all over the world. She still remains hopeful about obtaining a first place position throughout the course of the season, but only time will tell if she achieves this. If you were to ask family, friends, and fans from her fan club they will say it is only a matter of time. With her improving ranks overall, it looks like she might just achieve her career goal after all.
