12°c Overcast
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Little girls dazzled by Danica
Danica Patrick (CP)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The big boys brought their little girls to see NASCAR's shining star.
Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson all took their daughters to meet Danica Patrick this week at Daytona International Speedway.
It was the ultimate backstage pass. Patrick dropped to one knee, wrapped her right arm around Ella Gordon's waist as the 5-year-old flashed an endless grin in Victory Lane last week. Every day since, Patrick's crew has handed out dozens and dozens of lugnuts to little girls clamouring for souvenirs. Annie Edwards wore GoDaddy green shoes for the occasion. Evie Johnson recognizes only two cars, her dad said -- his and the green one.
"Carl was saying it's good that she sees me in real life and in person because 'To her, you are like some mythical creature that doesn't exist,' " Patrick said. "Then after qualifying, Jimmie Johnson brought his little girl over. That's three pretty big drivers who have little girls that wanted to meet me."
Danicamania is in full bloom at Daytona -- and with a brand new audience.
The first woman in history to earn the top starting spot in a race at NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup Series, Patrick will bring new eyeballs to Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500. She'll lure in casual sports fans, women who don't know a muffler from a manifold, and little girls in awe of the glamorous driver and her fast green car.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 23, 2013 C6
More Auto Racing
- Back to Top
- Return to Auto Racing
More Auto Racing
(1 of 7 articles for today)
Nico Rosberg again posts the fastest time in crash-marred 3rd practice at the Monaco GP
6:36 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Auto Racing
- Patrick feels for naked celeb Andrews
- McLaren F1 team principal Whitmarsh concedes expectations too high this season
- Chip Ganassi honours Alex Zanardi at Indy with presentation of Laguna Seca car
- Andretti team continues to be overwhelming favourite to claim Indianapolis 500 pole
- Despite big crashes, Sergio Perez says aggression is the only way to tackle Monaco GP
- MWR Sprint Cup cars lead several NASCAR efforts to help tornado victims
- Last-minute deals, last-second rides means record-tying 4 women to start Indianapolis 500
- Denny Hamlin takes Coca-Cola 600 pole with record qualifying lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Brass want record chase at Indy 500
- NASCAR panel upholds penalties for RCR crew members charged criminally for fighting
- Patrick feels for naked celeb Andrews
- Jimmie Johnson gets record All-Star race win then shrugs off his haters
- Jimmie Johnson uses fast last pit stop for record 4th Sprint All-Star win
- Michel Jourdain Jr. lone driver to fail to make Indy 500 field during Bump Day
- Young American racing stars quickly put cars in Indianapolis 500 field on Bump Day
- IN THE PITS: AJ Allmendinger doesn't question his 2nd chance with Roger Penske
- IndyCar penalizes Ganassi, Rahal teams for rules violations
- Race track owner revs mouth
- Denny Hamlin takes Coca-Cola 600 pole with record qualifying lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Indianapolis 500 qualifying starts more than 2 hours late after rain delay
- Perfect conditions help NASCAR drivers reach upward of 214 mph during tire test at Indy
- This story starting to get old
- Hot-heads Stewart and Kurt Busch get physical in wild green-white-checker finish at Richmond
- Patrick feels for naked celeb Andrews
- American Ryan Hunter-Reay wins pole position for IndyCar's Sao Paulo 300
- Jennifer Jo Cobb feels 'in danger' racing against Mike Harmon Friday night after his arrest
- Neel Jani takes ALMS pole at Long Beach for Rebellion Racing
- Police arrest 2 Richard Childress Racing crew members following post-race brawl at track
- NASCAR suspends RCR crew members for fighting with Nelson Piquet Jr. after Richmond race
- No telling if NASCAR will fine Ryan Newman for comments after crash at Talladega
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.