Pamela Pamela

Thursday, August 18, 2005 9:05 PM PDT
Danica Patrick
matched the following stories:

Fox Sports Australia, Thu, 18 Aug 2005 7:59 PM PDT
Wheldon to stretch Indy lead http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16313402-23210,00.html
ENGLAND'S Dan Wheldon tries to boost his Indy Racing League points lead here Sunday at the Indy 225 while US racer Sam Hornish and defending champion Tony Kanaan of Brazil try to close the gap.

"Rookie Danica Patrick won her second pole position of the season last week at Kentucky but quickly faded to the back.

While often quick in qualifying, Patrick has been a flop in most races, her fourth-place showing at Indy helped by a fuel gamble that paid off. The hype around Patrick has distracted from the men pushing for the title.

"I don't need all the attention," Hornish said. "It's nice that somebody else kind of takes it a little bit."

Wheldon praised Patrick, saying she deserves the attention.

"She looks very, very competitive. She has been quick all year, so more credit to her," he said.

Patrick has earned the respect of her rival racers as well, a feat she takes with pride in her first season.

"To have the respect of the drivers that I'm up against is what every driver hopes to get eventually," Patrick said. "I have thought more about being a female driver in this last year than I ever have combined in my life.
"It's nice to feel like I can run with those guys and that they respect me as much as anybody else."

Agence France-Presse"

The Wichita Eagle, Thu, 18 Aug 2005 6:10 PM PDT
IRL's Sharp returns to Victory Lane http://www.kansas.com/mld/charlotte/sports/motorsports/12385690.htm?source=rss&channel=charlotte_motorsports
Scott Sharp walked into his post-race interview session and summed up his feelings with one word.

Tough day for Danica:

Rookie Danica Patrick started from the pole, but she surrendered the lead to Tony Kanaan on the first lap and never led again. She also had gearbox problems and finished 16th.

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