Let the Backlash Begin!

You couldn't swing a dead cat around Memorial Day weekend without hitting a news story about Indy 500 rookie of the year Danica Patrick. The ratings for the race were up (although well behind the CART glory days) and Danica (rather than race winner Dan Weldon) was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Someone must have done some digging because the mainstream sports media has now realized what we in the racing community have known for a while: she's got talent and a lot of potential, but Danica hasn't won a race in a long long time. She went two years in Toyota Atlantics without a win and has yet to crack the winner's circle in the IRL. So, here comes the backlash, from USA Today and ESPN.com. But all the hype isn't gone. It appears that BAR-Honda may put Danica in one of their cars for some laps this Thursday in the lead up to the U.S. Grand Prix. Which, of course, will overshadow Scott Speed's debut in his home race the next day. Oh well - maybe he can talk about it with Weldon.