Hey, I Don't Want To Start An Argument But ---

[Dick Ralstin]

Honest Rev Ed I am not trying to start and argument on your forum, I am just stating a fact for the folks who are disappointed in Danica's first year in the big time.

It took Foyt three years, after he first raced in Indianapolis, before USAC would give him credentials to get in the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May.

For the first two years he had to buy tickets to even get in the grounds race day to see the race ---- he sat in the grandstands outside the first turn.

[IndyJim]

Honest Rev Ed I am not trying to start and argument on your forum, I am just stating a fact for the folks who are disappointed in Danica's first year in the big time.

It took Foyt three years, after he first raced in Indianapolis, before USAC would give him credentials to get in the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May.

For the first two years he had to buy tickets to even get in the grounds race day to see the race ---- he sat in the grandstands outside the first turn.

Hey, trying to start an argument on Rev Ed's forum?

Good points as usual Dick, hope the winter treats you well!

[stretch51]

Hey, trying to start an argument on Rev Ed's forum?

Dick gets a free pass - at least he's not commenting on the Splitzville forum the post of IRL Attendance.

[Frank Capua]

Honest Rev Ed I am not trying to start and argument on your forum, I am just stating a fact for the folks who are disappointed in Danica's first year in the big time.

It took Foyt three years, after he first raced in Indianapolis, before USAC would give him credentials to get in the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May.

For the first two years he had to buy tickets to even get in the grounds race day to see the race ---- he sat in the grandstands outside the first turn.

I don't know why people are upset... the rookie had three poles this year. So she didn't rise up to the hype that she would win right away... but who didn't see that coming back at Homestead. I've rarely have had a problem with Danica just the hype that was expecting more from her in her first year than she ever showed in Atlantics.

[athos1172]

"I've rarely have had a problem with Danica just the hype that was expecting more from her in her first year than she ever showed in Atlantics."

Agreed.
I'm no DanicaFan, but no one could have lived up to those expectations. Period.

[BigFig]

I don't know why people are upset... the rookie had three poles this year. So she didn't rise up to the hype that she would win right away... but who didn't see that coming back at Homestead. I've rarely have had a problem with Danica just the hype that was expecting more from her in her first year than she ever showed in Atlantics.

I started out intensely disliking her and ended up liking her. She done quite well, in my opinion. Showed a lot of maturity (until the last race MAYBE), run at the level of the equipment and crew provided. I still think Fisher would have shown just as well and probably better if given the same quality of car.

[Frank Capua]

I started out intensely disliking her and ended up liking her. She done quite well, in my opinion. Showed a lot of maturity (until the last race MAYBE), run at the level of the equipment and crew provided. I still think Fisher would have shown just as well and probably better if given the same quality of car.

I had the same experience... she came in behind her hype that was claiming she was the first real woman racer to race in Indy cars which I assumed meant that all the others had just been PR stunts. A hype that Danica was repeating in interviews at Homestead... however her or her team took notice of the response she was getting from folks who were IRL fans pre-Danica and there was a noticeable shift before the Danicamania train pulled into Indy.

Or she came to the realization that she was no longer in a CART feeder series so there was no longer a need for her to take a shot at Sarah just to get an applause.

[Vasserfan]

Dick gets a free pass - at least he's not commenting on the Splitzville forum the post of IRL Attendance.

There's an attendance thread in Splitzville?



Good point Dick. Many forget she is a rookie. She mad lots of mistakes, and did some things well. She should learn from this first year and improve on it.

[lkchris]

None of Danica's teammates in identical cars won this year, either.

Only one win this year (Sharp) in same chassis as Danica.

[step33T]

Actually, Dixon won at Watkins Glen, though it's certainly valid that the Panoz struggled on the ovals.

[sweaty]

There's no question she did a lot for the sport as far as interest goes, and she was fairly competitve. Better than Sarah, maybe, we'll never know. The proof in the pudding will be '06 and whether Rahal will give her the race set up to be able stay in or, to go to the front rather than fade as she did so often this season. Me, I'm a fan.

[Bombardier R142]

Only one win this year (Sharp) in same chassis as Danica.

Yet there are no anti-Panoz rants on this board (that I know of).

If Danica only has her ride because of her celebrity status, then she's just another kind of ride buyer. If she's the least talented ride buyer the IRL has to deal with, then well..., let's just say the IRL should be so lucky. Besides, how many other ride buyers bring something people not on her team can use. Increased ratings help everybody.

[cheeseczar]

I never thought DP would be the second coming of Foyt, Mario, or Rick. When she surfaced on the ICS scene, I treated her with the same attitude I have for any new driver; reserve judgment until the season is over.

Judgement: Average season with a few bright spots. She has proven fast on the big tracks. She was heistant in the beginning to run in the packs, but by season end she appeared to be testing the waters with some success. The cars she wadded up (save for Indy ) were few and not necessarily by her own hand.

I'm quite pleased with the attention the series has rec'd courtesy of DP.

Mid-packer? She sure is. I wouldn't expect...or DEMAND anything more of any rookie.

I believe we will see better things out of the 16 car next season.

And yeah...she is easy on the eyes...

[Chris Paff]

count me as a fan.. i was never a Sarah fan but Danica showed talent and is alot easier on the eyes..

[Indyknut]

Honest Rev Ed I am not trying to start and argument on your forum, I am just stating a fact for the folks who are disappointed in Danica's first year in the big time.

It took Foyt three years, after he first raced in Indianapolis, before USAC would give him credentials to get in the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May.

For the first two years he had to buy tickets to even get in the grounds race day to see the race ---- he sat in the grandstands outside the first turn.

Did AJ get on the cover of SI that year? She's massively overhyped and isn't producing the results to live up to the hype while the real racers are ignored.

That's all it really is Dick.