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Historic victory just the start for Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick sits in her car just prior to the start of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 27 last year. Patrick made IndyCar history on Sunday by becoming the first female winner by clinching the Indy Japan 300 title. PHOTO: EPA

When Danica Patrick finally got her first win, it was late on a Saturday night back home in the US — not exactly ideal timing for one of the most historic victories in motorsport.

And although the victory in the IRL IndyCar Series came an ocean away in Japan, the 26-year-old Patrick wasn’t complaining.

“I was excited for a little while, shocked for a little bit and mostly just relieved to get that done,” Patrick said on Monday, still relishing her win at Twin Ring Motegi, the first victory by a woman in major open-wheel racing. “I’m not shooshing it aside, but I’m definitely glad that one is over.”

The win came in her fourth full season and 50th career start, and she had spent much of her time before this answering questions about when she’d earn her first victory.

Not any more.

“I don’t let people dictate how I’m supposed to feel or how I’m supposed to do,” she said on Monday in a teleconference.

“But it’s nice not to have to answer any questions about when and how and why it hasn’t happened. “They say the first win is the hardest to get, which I agree with,” Patrick said. “It’s even more realistic now with having a win, and hopefully more will come now.”

Patrick, who had a relatively sleepless 12-hour flight on Sunday from Japan and watched the last half of the Champ Car World Series race on the streets of Long Beach, is part of the newly unified open-wheel series. Along with a pair of countrymen — 19-year-old Graham Rahal and 21-year-old Marco Andretti, both drivers from great racing families with loads of potential — they carry the US’ hopes in the series.

“People are finding out about IndyCar more,” she said. “A lot of people are affected, it’s not just me. I hope it’s growing, and that’s the idea. We’re all working hard to capitalize on the great moments happening in the league, and this week it’s me.”

Although it would have been nice for Patrick’s first win to have come on home turf in the US — and in prime time — there should be no more comparisons to tennis’ Anna Kournikova, who built a reputation based on glamor but never won a title, despite coming tantalizingly close several times.

Like Kournikova, Patrick has become nearly as well known for posing for magazines — including this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue — and her work as a commercial spokesman, as for her driving. But now she’s not just another driver trying to find her niche.

“I’m definitely just part of a wave of women that are doing different things, great things, outside of the normal world,” she said. “I don’t think it’s just me.”
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