Daytona 500: Patrick first woman to win pole

[DocM]

The girl was really rippin' up the asphalt today.

http://usatoday.com/article/news/1926073

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ? Danica Patrick keeps making history.

Patrick, who has made headlines since Speedweeks began while fielding questions about her relationship with fellow Cup rookie Ricky Stenhouse Jr., has made headlines again ? for doing something on the track.

She became the first woman to win the pole position for the Daytona 500 ? and a Sprint Cup event ? on Sunday when the rookie posted a lap of 196.434 mph.

"Pride. I'm proud of all the hard work that goes into making a pole car," Patrick said. "I'm happy for them (the team). It was a fast Chevy. ... If you're anywhere but the front row, it's hard to see on race day. ... This just speaks volumes about Stewart-Haas Racing. I thought we were going to be 1-2-3 for a while."

Janet Guthrie qualified ninth in 1977 at Talladega Superspeedway and Bristol Motor Speedway, which marks the previous best starting spot for a woman in Cup history. There have been only two previous poles for women in NASCAR history. Patrick here, and Shawna Robinson in a Nationwide race in Atlanta in 1994.

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[Growled Member]

Go Danica! Show the boys how it's done.

That said, I wonder if she will ever win a race.

[Rappy Veteran]

Whoa Nice One! (Y)

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Go Danica! Show the boys how it's done.

That said, I wonder if she will ever win a race.

It doesn't matter:

[Growled Member]

^ I heard that. :)

[xendrome]

Now, let's start the pool on how many laps till she rams it into the inside wall... I'm going for 23....

I like how she gets bumped and immediately takes her hands off the wheel to prepare for the crash and doesn't even try to regain control. Most of thes guys at least try to save it, then once they realize they are going into the wall they bring their hands up off the wheel so they don't break their arms. Her, she gives up immediately...

[DocM]

She did the right thing as the percentages are against successful recovery. Oft times trying to fight is a fast way to a hand or wrist injury, even a season-ending broken forearm. Doubly so for females & smaller men who have a thinner bone structure. This is racing 101 to road & Indy racers where she learned it, but stock car racrrs have been slow to adopt the faster release.