Danica Patrick wins Rookie of the Year

Danica wins the Bombardier 2005 Rookie of the year at Watkins Glen.

Danica has a peculiar day at Watkins Glen as she drops to the back of the pack after an ignition problem with her car as she passes her teammate Rice under yellow. Her Car shuts off and has to be restarted causing her to lose positions. She battled back late though to place 16th overall. Scott Dixon wins the Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix.

Even with her finish at Watkins Glen, she wins the Bombardier 2005 Rookie of the year having the most points to date:

Danica Patrick... 313
Tomas Enge... 237
Ryan Briscoe... 232
Jeff Bucknum ... 63
Paul Dana... 44
Mary Roth... 10
Larry Foyt... 10

Her overall standings in points among all drivers is 11th out of a field of 33.

Congratulations Danica!!!

Danica influence

Danica Patrick has made quite an impact during her initial IndyCar Series career -- on the track, in the media and with companies looking to market their products. She was first woman to lead a lap in the Indianapolis 500, finishing fourth; has seven top-10 finishes in 15 events; has started from the pole position three times; and is on her way to winning the Bombardier Rookie of the Year award.




Anyone doubt that the popular 23-year-old Phoenix resident, who has been mobbed by fans young and old everywhere she goes, will have an influence on girls being named Danica in the future?

Danica finds some girl time while racing

How does Danica find time while racing to look so good? Well in the world of racing finishing and winning races takes place all in the pit's.

Danica finds some girl time to bring some femininity to the pits...

Danica takes 6th in the Peak Antifreeze 300 at Chicagoland Speedway

Danica takes 6th avoiding a fiery crash with Ryan Briscoe as Briscoe goes airborn as he makes contact with the front tire of another car. His car becomes airborn and catches fire in mid-flight as his car breaks in half. Preliminary reports say he is o.k. with a bruised lung and broken right and left clavicles. Danica starting from the pole, was sixth -- the seventh top-10 finish of her rookie season. The Roscoe, Ill., native lost the lead to Scheckter on the second lap and never got it back despite a push late in the race. She jump started coming out of a pit after the 188th lap and got knocked down two spots to fourth.



Dan Wheldon takes the checkered flag to win at Chicagoland Speedway Peak Anitifreeze 300.

Danica takes another pole at the IRL Antifreeze Indy 300

Danica Patrick was awarded the pole after Ryan Briscoes car failed technical inspection. All thre Target-Chip Ganassi Racing cars that qualified on today failed technical inspection and were sent to the back. This now adds to her count and Danica now claims her third pole of the season to tie an IRL record among rookies.

She now becomes the second female to win a pole here Saturday shortly after Sara McCune became the first woman to win a pole in the Menards Ifiniti Pro Series.