Ah, OK, thanks, Bob!






Professional Racing and Driving Coach

 

Newbie here. I watched this race because I have gotten sucked into the hype. It clearly was all about Danika, but probably kept going that way the whole race because of the circumstances (middle pack, up to the front pack, pushed to the back, controlled spin, bang out fender, back in race, works her way up to the lead pack again, etc.). As long as she is competitive the commentary will always overemphasize her presence, IMO.

 

"The truth? You can't handle the truth" quote Jack Nicholson.

 

quote fail

 

Fixed it. Thanks.

 

Least I know you don't. And only because of a difference of opinion. Hmmm, makes me wonder.

 

Just like I'm sure those Women Billiards or Bowling or Golf champions would mop the floor with their respective enthusiast pools. Which is why they are paid professionals. That is not a big accomplishment.


The point landjet is trying to make and that I agree with is that if Danica were instead Dan, and had ***** instead of ***** he would not get so much attention, and if he did, he'd get bashed more than anyone around here.

So it's reverse sexism in a way. She's a decent driver compared to her peers, but she's treated like the best one.

 

she is hot, marketable, and puts asses in the seats... case closed.

she is getting too much attention -- see above

 

IMHO your making the point "FOR DANICA" with this thread. In all other sports, the women are separated from men in everything from golf, tennis, billiards, Winter and Summer Olympics, etc. In racing they are not. She is basically competing straight up with the men and she is the best from the opposite gender and holding her own.

Perhaps Land Jet should take the ^^^ bold parts into consideration. There have been other women who have competed in motorsports, particularly in drag racing and been more successful than Danica, but in the modern era, she is the female standard on road and ovals in open wheel and now stock cars.

 

Let's have a list of every driver from the beginning of motorsports, that have won 1 race. Then let's have a list of true champions who have been consistent winners and have won multiple championship titles. The second list has earned and deserves the accolades. The first list doesn't.

 

By this criteria, winning is still the measure of greatness, not gender, and not finishing in the top 6.

 

I see your point, but in some sports Men have less of an advantage (if any), and there are several women that could compete in men's categories better than the majority of the field. I tried to list sports where Women wouldn't be at a disadvantage and I can't think of one where a Woman wouldn't be at less of a disadvantage than Racing (maybe billiards).

Let's take Ashley Force, she's a regular winner amongst men. Has led standings and finished second over a season. She just turned pro in 2007........ Guess what's ahead for her. Lots of wins and probably a funny car championship.

That's a woman who's earned some serious respect in the racing world IMO.

The other problem with Danica is that there are probably a lot of girls out there who could take it to her, but aren't models and therefore won't get the chance. Danica's exposure has a lot less to do with her talent as her looks (if tiny women are your thing). That's what irks me more than anything.

 

Yeah, but it's that way in everything nowadays. Video ruined the music business for real musicians. Image and looks has ruined TV journalism. It's not enough to be good at what you do anymore if it is in the public eye, you have to look good as well. Danica is the norm, not the exception anymore, but she still can drive.

Take your point about success, if I had won an IRL race and was on course to get a cup ride, you all would be swooning everytime I posted something here (and you know it).

 

Very true, lots of new artists with no talent making albums (Shakira anyone).

I wouldn't put Danica on that level, because she obviously does have talent. Just not as much talent as visibility and recognition. And more visibility for non-racing exploits (advertising and modeling) than actual racing (Anna Kournikova??)

Ashley Force > Danica

 

And old ones who went the glam route long before MTV was envisioned. New York Dolls, anyone?