The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 4 of 12)

p>I know it's politically incorrect to criticize a woman for mistakes that knocked other, more experienced drivers, out of the race, but the event reminded me of the hoopla when the first woman flight qualified to land a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. The media couldn't get enough print on praising her to show how "woman are as good as men." Later, when she crashed and died, did some in the military reveal she was mediocre as a fighter jet pilot.... br> -- David Smith br> Pearland, Texas /p> p> I wonder, in a sport where victory is measured in split seconds, how Danica Patrick would have done if she was forced to deadweight her car for the almost 100 lbs. difference between her and the average male Indy Car driver? br> -- Scotty Uhrich br> Glyndon, Minnesota /p>

Wlady needs to lighten up on Miss Patrick. So she crashed at "only" a hundred miles per hour. Hell, Kevin Cogan crashed during the parade lap -- taking out several other cars in the process. Among the victims were Mario Andretti and (if I'm not mistaken) A.J. Foyt. And don't forget Roberto Guerrero who also crashed during the parade lap. Both of these drivers were experienced open-wheel racers. What one must bear in mind is that these machines aren't just difficult to drive. They're barely controllable. Seriously. It's amazing to me that so many racers even get out of the pits without either stalling the car or trashing the drivetrain. And yes, the guys in front of the pack on the restart were playing some speed-up, slow-down games to try and get a leg-up on the restart. But when the guys (and gals) in the rear of the pack see green lights and hear "green, green, green!" in their radio headsets, they're going to stomp on the gas. Accidents happen at the Indy 500 -- that's nothing new. Just because a girl caused this one is no reason to blow a gasket.

p>That's a little "Gasoline Alley" lingo for you. I've actually been to Gasoline Alley on the day of the big race. Has Wlady? Just curious. br> -- Bryan Frymire br> Louisville, Kentucky (two hours south of Speedway, Indiana)

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