Maters, it's time to fire up your computers and start bombarding your local newspapers and television stations with "corrections." After Danica Patrick won the Twin Ring Motegi race in Japan yesterday the IRL put out a press release containing the following lines:

MOTEGI, Japan, Sunday, April 20, 2008 – Since exploding into the consciousness of an international audience at the 2005 Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick has faced questions of when she would win an IndyCar Series race.

She answered with a flurry of a finish at Twin Ring Motegi, becoming the first female to win a major auto racing event. Patrick, who turned 26 three weeks ago, won in her 50th IndyCar Series start.

The New York Times and other newspapers have already picked up and published this erroneous information, which is an insult not only to drag racing, but to the many exceptional women drivers who have helped make drag racing an exciting and competitive sport. The name Shirley Muldowney comes to mind here, along with literally dozens of others.

Do NOT let this simply go by without telling your local TV station and/or newspaper, if they ran this junk, that it's simply untrue and that they've fallen for the hype put out by the IRL. If those reporters had done their jobs as professionals they'd know this story is baloney.

Jon Asher

Not to take away from Danica Patrick's accomplishment, but I'd say that the US Nationals, which Shirley Muldowney won in 1982, is more a "major race" than the IRL Twin Ring Motegi race in Japan.

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"Even the smallest dog can lift its leg on the tallest building."-- Jim Hightower

Plus, Shirley won her first CHAMPIONSHIP in '77. Not a major race, but a season long, points earning championship.

Regardless, kudos to Danica on her first win.

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More government is NOT a solution to any problem;
More government IS the problem...

First win for Shirley in CMH '76, celebrating with the Snake:

Picasa Web Albums - jamiephoto - Steve Scott


Picasa Web Albums - jamiephoto - Steve Scott

Plus, who ever was kind enough to modify and embed my last photo links (on the Gar thread) please also do the same here? And please PM me, so this computer dummy can figure out how to do this for myself...

__________________
More government is NOT a solution to any problem;
More government IS the problem...

NHRA.com already has a statement up. Good job!

Typical uninformed mainstream media hysteria. Not surprising. Lyn St. James is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. I would call that race a "major auto racing event". Another example of media hyperbole: Michele Mouton is a former World Rally Championship driver who is described on Wikepedia as "arguably the most successful female in motor racing as a whole" and she never won a WRC championship--and I would wager many of you are reading her name for the first time.

I am writing this from Long Beach where I was working this weekend at the Toyota Grand Prix. The Danica tidal wave is just beginning, trust me. I will guarantee you that you'll see her on Today, Good Morning America, Oprah, and/or Larry King between now and the next race. She flew directly from Motegi to Long Beach Sunday so she could get some face time on the Champ Car telecast. The fact she is now in Los Angeles puts her right in the media beehive. But I will also tell you that once Ashley F. or Melanie T. get their first wins, they'll get some mainstream notice, although perhaps not to the degree Danica is getting.

Maybe NHRA can fine them $100,000?

I'd say the journalist(s) doesn't know how popular drag racing used to be.

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The faster you drive, the further you have to walk to get back to the road.

I agree Jenn.

Nancy

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Nancy Matter
Nancy Matter Racing, Inc.
http://www.nancymatterracing.com

Some interesting tidbits in there too. Do you know if there's any word on Peggy Llewyllen? Now that's a racer that needs a ride. She kicked butt in Houston last year.

Last I heard they were working on a Harley Davidson Deal, but then, and I don't know if this is related, they announced Angelle with a Harley Deal from a company in Texas. So.....hard telling.

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Nancy Matter
Nancy Matter Racing, Inc.
http://www.nancymatterracing.com

OK Bill, since your in Long Beach working the Grand Prix it looks like it's all on your shoulders to set the record straight!

finally

Um, err, uh, Didn't Melanie ALREADY get a big girl win...?

I'm glad Danica finally got her first win - I was growing tired (maybe a little envious/jealous for the NHRA gals) of the media/marketing exposure without yet having closed the deal.

The guy on TV said she has been referred to as "the Anna Kornikova of motorsports" - this win ends THAT derision.
I believe "a high tide lifts all boats" this is good for motorsports in general. There's a lot more to go around.

Oh, Mike, I feel like Sisyphus, the character from mythology who was condemned by the gods to spend the rest of his life pushing a rock up a hill. I have made many efforts to enlighten other sports journalists as to the history, achievements, and great tradition of our sport but drag racing continues to have to fight for every bit of positive publicity it gets. The stick-and-ball jock-ocracy (as Howard Cosell used to describe it) doesn't really understand drag racing and many of its historical milestones are off their radar screens. Change is tough.

I think he meant in refrence to in Funny Car, where there hasn't been a female national event winner.

Keep pushing the rock Bill, you're in a much better position than most of us. I just live in the jockocracy where people think I'm weirdo for liking drag racing and didn't think black people liked stock car racing. I sent a little note to Stars and Stripes but I doubt it will help.

S/F
D