Danica Patrick wins Indy Japan

***Weasel 555*** · 04-21-2008 05:07 AM

The third race of the IRL season and last event before the on set of the merger was history in the making. The Indy Japan 300 was a difficult race to get off the ground though, as rainy conditions cancelled qualifying and caused postponement of the race start.

Twin Ring Motegi will now forever be the site where the first female driver won an Indy Car event. Danica Patrick sealed the deal after passing Helio Castroneves with 2 laps to go in the 200 lap race. The historical event was made possible through excellent planning and strategy on the part of the Andretti Green team. Danica sat in fourth with 4 laps to go, but fuel starvation forced Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan into the pits. Fuel level was also an issue with Castroneves, he was in conservation mode in the final laps.

Autoblog.com Danica Wins!

***TheJ*** · 04-21-2008 05:15 AM

Congratulations to Danica!

Although... that pic would be a little better if she was wearing a white tee instead of that racing suit thing.

***Weasel 555*** · 04-21-2008 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by TheJ

Although... that pic would be a little better if she was wearing a white tee instead of that racing suit thing.

Sports Illustrated pics:
SI Danica swimsuit

**wrxwalsh** · 04-21-2008 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Weasel 555

Sports Illustrated pics:
SI Danica swimsuit

shes purty

Matt

**DirtModJunkie** · 04-21-2008 09:46 AM

Well, I guess it's time to eat my hat

I would've wagered she was the Anna Kournikova of the race world.
A looker AND a driver.....la lala la la LOVELY!
Congrats!

**SonicWagon** · 04-21-2008 09:57 AM

thats not champagne she is covered in...

**Flyingjibus** · 04-21-2008 01:32 PM

So, relating to that picture..Some Trivia. where did the spraying the champagne on people thing come from?

No google-ing!

**SonicWagon** · 04-21-2008 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Flyingjibus

So, relating to that picture..Some Trivia. where did the spraying the champagne on people thing come from?

Dan Gurney didn't know how to open a bottle the right way that or he was excited he sprayed it and it became a tradition i think

**Sasquatch** · 04-21-2008 01:42 PM

Now for Indy 500 ...

Originally Posted by Weasel 555

Sports Illustrated pics:
SI Danica swimsuit

Thanks Andy!

**Flyingjibus** · 04-21-2008 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by SonicWagon

Dan Gurney didn't know how to open a bottle the right way that or he was excited he sprayed it and it became a tradition i think

Close-ish

Gurny and AJ Foyt had just won Le Mans. On the podium they were handed the traditional victory toast. Gurney was not a drinker so he shook it up and sprayed down Foyt and the crowd.