Milka Duno torture

[SportscarBruce]

How about that fetching, talented, curvacious Velenzuelan with four masters degrees and Cito sponsorship? Pretty dang good qualifying attempt. :)

[drewdawg727]

*venezuelan ......sorry couldn't help myself you mutilated that nationality. lol.

[SportscarBruce]

http://www.eve-auto.fr/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/milka-duno-2.jpg

Ha-cha-cha

[DavePI2]

while at columbus motor speedway last night most of the folks I talked too were hoping milka would get in the field and that fine driver from ohio sarah fisher would have a great finish. Good to see a fine qualifying effort from milka, hopefully she can continue on race day.

david

[NickFalzone]

I agree, today was a major victory for Milka Duno fans around the world. She's coming...

[SportscarBruce]

I agree, today was a major victory for Milka Duno fans around the world. She's coming...

Boy wouldn't I like to see that live. :D

[DanicaFan]

She got lucky. She will not finish the race.

[TURN3]

She got lucky. She will not finish the race.


Yeah right DanicaFan. Milka just can't do anything right for you can she?

[beachgirl]

She got lucky. She will not finish the race.


Some people do like Milka. Just as some people don't like Danica. I'm sure you would not be thrilled if someone made that exact comment about Danica. And people have, and her fans go berzerk. So how about granting someone else who might be a Milka fan the same consideration you expect to be given as Danica's Fan?

[DanicaFan]

Yeah right DanicaFan. Milka just can't do anything right for you can she?

Im sorry, I have seen no talent with Milka since she has been in the series. She is always slower than everyone else and becomes a slow moving chicane everyone has to go around during a race.

And beachgirl, I get bashed a lot about Danica so I have the right to bash Milka. It comes with the territory.

[TURN3]

Im sorry, I have seen no talent with Milka since she has been in the series. She is always slower than everyone else and becomes a slow moving chicane everyone has to go around during a race.

And beachgirl, I get bashed a lot about Danica so I have the right to bash Milka. It comes with the territory.

And.
Well.
So you're saying it is alright to bash you for your ridiculous comments?????

FYI, Milka has shown condsiderable improvement since she's come to the series and she doesn't drive for a top team. On the other hand, Danica has yet to she SHE has any skill so that is like calling a the ground dirt. So, I think you should keep things in perspective.

Milka worked her way into the field and deserves credit for that because she used HER talent as well as the Danica...they both used other drivers set-ups.

[jackmart]

while at columbus motor speedway last night most of the folks I talked too were hoping milka would get in the field and that fine driver from ohio sarah fisher would have a great finish. Good to see a fine qualifying effort from milka, hopefully she can continue on race day.

david

I hope sarah does goo too. I don't really like Milka that much, idk why. I didn't even know Columbus had a motor speedway and I lived there. Do people talk about Graham? I know my parents said the Dispatch had run a few articles about him recently.

[beachgirl]

Im sorry, I have seen no talent with Milka since she has been in the series. She is always slower than everyone else and becomes a slow moving chicane everyone has to go around during a race.

And beachgirl, I get bashed a lot about Danica so I have the right to bash Milka. It comes with the territory.

Yes, you do get bashed. But only once in all this time have I ever made a comment to you about it. All I'm saying is perhaps you would want to rise above, since you feel badly when people do it it you. But apparently I was wrong.

[Chamoo]

Danica got lucky she landed at AGR. She will not finish the race.

[beachbum]

Danica got lucky she landed at AGR. She will not finish the race.
I am not a fan of Danica, but that is harsh. Why won't she finish? Lately, she has managed to get decent results by hanging around until the end. She isn't likely to win, but there is no reason to suggest she can't finish.

By the way, I think Milka did a solid job. She did what she had to do to get it, and is obviously coachable. I never thought I would see her do this well, but she is really trying hard to get better.

[chuck34]

Milka most likely will finnish the race, unless she gets caught up in someone elses stuff. I've watched her since she was running Grand-Am (I'm not a fan, but I was sort of involved in Grand-Am), and she doesn't get in too much trouble. She's dog slow and she knows it, so she gets out of the way.

[Nem14]

Milka most likely will finnish the race, unless she gets caught up in someone elses stuff. I've watched her since she was running Grand-Am (I'm not a fan, but I was sort of involved in Grand-Am), and she doesn't get in too much trouble. She's dog slow and she knows it, so she gets out of the way.

And laughs all the way to the bank..............

[elis]

She got lucky. She will not finish the race.

No, she got in her car, went out, qualified & legitimately put herself in the race.. more than some of the allegedly more qualified drivers managed. If anyone was lucky out there it was Shunter Reay.

As for not finishing, that's as maybe & can be said for ANYONE out there... as you should well know.

Milka is clearly not the strongest driver on track, but still finished last years 500 in a fairly respectable 19th. That 'achievement' in itself shouldn't be overlooked or sneered at.

[methanolHuffer]

Her hands don't look like a womans hands. I'm not suggesting she was born with something that she doesn't have anymore, but golly look at the hands.

I say again: gol-ly

[SarahFan]

Im sorry, I have seen no talent with Milka since she has been in the series. She is always slower than everyone else and becomes a slow moving chicane everyone has to go around during a race.

And beachgirl, I get bashed a lot about Danica so I have the right to bash Milka. It comes with the territory.


you get bashed becuase your statements regarding Danica are without merit....

it's not Danica being bashed its you...

big difference

[fan-veteran]

I agree, today was a major victory for Milka Duno fans around the world. She's coming... :D :p :

[Gluaistean]

I'm glad Milka and Sarah are in the field. Resources low, te4am spirit and good engineering high.

Do you { Danicafan} honestly believe that given the same equipment, that Sarah and Milka have that Patrick would be in the 500?

I for one do not believe that she has the necessary talent that is required to win a race {not a fuel strategy} race on her own.

I do however believe that Sarah Fisher given the same equipment over the past few years as Patrick would have won a few times.

[chuck34]

I'm glad Milka and Sarah are in the field. Resources low, te4am spirit and good engineering high.

Do you { Danicafan} honestly believe that given the same equipment, that Sarah and Milka have that Patrick would be in the 500?

I for one do not believe that she has the necessary talent that is required to win a race {not a fuel strategy} race on her own.

I do however believe that Sarah Fisher given the same equipment over the past few years as Patrick would have won a few times.

I know you are addressing Danicafan, but I'll weigh in on this one. Danica IS better than Milka, but not by much. That is based on my observation of them both in DP's a few years back. They were both driving for the same team at the Daytona 24, but in different cars. Based on that I say they had the same equipment.

That being said, I THINK that Sarah is better than them both. But it's hard to truly know since they haven't had the same equipment to compare.

[SportscarBruce]

Milka most likely will finnish the race, unless she gets caught up in someone elses stuff. I've watched her since she was running Grand-Am (I'm not a fan, but I was sort of involved in Grand-Am), and she doesn't get in too much trouble. She's dog slow and she knows it, so she gets out of the way.
Let's see, in 2007 Al Unser Jr. dropped so far off the pace Milka Duno (r) nearly climbed his gearv.

[chuck34]

Let's see, in 2007 Al Unser Jr. dropped so far off the pace Milka Duno (r) nearly climbed his gearv.

I don't remember what happened. Can you give a quick run-down?

[EagleEye]

I'm glad Milka and Sarah are in the field. Resources low, te4am spirit and good engineering high.

Do you { Danicafan} honestly believe that given the same equipment, that Sarah and Milka have that Patrick would be in the 500?

I for one do not believe that she has the necessary talent that is required to win a race {not a fuel strategy} race on her own.

I do however believe that Sarah Fisher given the same equipment over the past few years as Patrick would have won a few times.

How wrong you are....

Danica actually won a ton of karting races, and even did well in lower formula single seat series. Sarah also won in karting, and in midgets and sprint cars. Their first head-to-head showdown was in the LBGP celebrity race years ago, and Danica came out on top. Both can race, though Danica (love her, or hate her) has a better chance to do well at Indy. She is in better shape, and has better equipment and resources than Sarah.

As for Milka....she is very nice, but has no place or pedigree to race at this level. She never won in open wheel racing...finishing 17th or 18th in points in the Barber series. She was a co-winner in Grand-Am, though she was 5-8 seconds a lap slower than her team-mates.....

And, another nod to Sarah and her team...the presentation of her car, equipment, crew is on par with Ganassi and AGR. Very impressive for a team with a fraction of the resources.

Sarah remains one of the nicest people who you can meet in racing...Danica (aka, "the Princess") not so much. Milka is very sweet....but again, well out of her league. She should stick to the Charro routine.

[TURN3]

I know you are addressing Danicafan, but I'll weigh in on this one. Danica IS better than Milka, but not by much. That is based on my observation of them both in DP's a few years back. They were both driving for the same team at the Daytona 24, but in different cars. Based on that I say they had the same equipment.

That being said, I THINK that Sarah is better than them both. But it's hard to truly know since they haven't had the same equipment to compare.

That is a very interesting observation and kudos for pointing that out. I totally agree with the conclusion even without those facts but having that side by side comparison is priceless. Thank You. Even still, you know "certain" people will still look through the facts to draw the conclusion they wish to draw...unfortunate.

[TURN3]

Danica actually won a ton of karting races, and even did well in lower formula single seat series.

I agree with everything you said, compliments to Sarah, etc. Your wrong about Danica's history though. One of the reasons I've come to not stand her is because she's actually never achieved ANYTHING. She is literally no different than Milka when it comes to how she got to Indycars. She may be slightly better than Milka in terms of actual skill but they both got there by looking halfway descent and making some sort of sexual appeal. Danica won in karting occasionally but at that level you have to put things into perspective. I was our town's top little league pitcher and somehow I got looked over for a mult-million $$ contract with the Yankees...know what I mean? Against pros in the lower ranks, she has NEVER won anything and was consistently a mid-packer and off the pace of the guys that win and have moved onto the big time racing series. She's never had outright speed...EVER...except when she was with RLR in the dominant Honda days. Even then, she only had to beat her teammates and 1 other team (AGR I believe was the other Honda team then?) and couldn't do it.

We all know that racing isn't what it used to be. These days it isn't about who is good, skilled, and brave. It is all about the almighty dollar. There is nobody to blame for that, that is just how life works. If is was only about skill and talent, neither of them would be driving race cars for a living.

[SportscarBruce]

Q: Do you detest Dale Jr. for the same reason? Granted he's won in the past, but in comparison to the top 10 points holders in 2009 Dale Jr's most valuable sports personality marketing status is identically undeserved.

So what is the solution? Should the federal government act against the evils of marketing discrimination with a TV FaceTime Index of Performance Act?

[TURN3]

Q: Do you detest Dale Jr. for the same reason? Granted he's won in the past, but in comparison to the top 10 points holders in 2009 Dale Jr's most valuable sports personality marketing status is identically undeserved.

So what is the solution? Should the federal government act against the evils of marketing discrimination with a TV FaceTime Index of Performance Act?


A: Yes I do actually and that is a very good point. At least Jr. won at the Busch level and has won a few Cup races. The comparison is in terms of most popular driver vs. actual ability in this case and again, I do dislike Jr. because he's basically a er in a car with the best team. You see where he stands in comparison to his teammates.

[beachbum]

How wrong you are....

Danica actually won a ton of karting races, and even did well in lower formula single seat series. Sarah also won in karting, and in midgets and sprint cars. Their first head-to-head showdown was in the LBGP celebrity race years ago, and Danica came out on top. Both can race, though Danica (love her, or hate her) has a better chance to do well at Indy. She is in better shape, and has better equipment and resources than Sarah.

As for Milka....she is very nice, but has no place or pedigree to race at this level. She never won in open wheel racing...finishing 17th or 18th in points in the Barber series. She was a co-winner in Grand-Am, though she was 5-8 seconds a lap slower than her team-mates.....

And, another nod to Sarah and her team...the presentation of her car, equipment, crew is on par with Ganassi and AGR. Very impressive for a team with a fraction of the resources.

Sarah remains one of the nicest people who you can meet in racing...Danica (aka, "the Princess") not so much. Milka is very sweet....but again, well out of her league. She should stick to the Charro routine.Some time ago, I started wondering about all of these statistics. Ever since Danica went to England to run FF, there has seemed to be an interesting mystique that has been built up surrounding her talents. One of the great things about the intardnet is there is a surprising amount of information available. So, I went and pulled the WKA results for a bunch of years.

http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1994.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1995.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1996.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1997.html

These are the years often used to show how good she was in karts from 12-15 years old. In 1994, she was mostly near the bottom of her classes in points when people like "SAMUEL HORNISH-JR" (I've heard of him!) and "SARAH FISHER" were either at the top (Sam) or near the top. 1995 and 1996 were good years with her finishing at the top or second in a number of classes. But 1997 and 1998 she was back in mid pack. Did she have a lot of wins? Yes, but so did a lot of other drivers who are well known today, like Ryan Hunter-Reay. Oddly enough, most of those karting winners are now in stock cars. When drivers like Fisher went to drive 800 hp sprint cars, Danica was still running around in 100cc karts. One karting champion, Candice Jolly (who won 2 WKA championships in 1995 and is listed in her promos as a 17 time karting champion) is driving Monster Trucks.

When Danica went to England, she joined up with one of the best FF teams. One of the early articles about that had her listed as a 5 time karting champion, yet she only won 2 WKA championships. Perhaps a slight oversight?

http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/aus/okeefe.html

Her foray into FF and Vauxall in England was firmly midpack, with one good result at the FF festival and eventually she no longer had a ride.

So, how much is hype and how much is real? When Rahal got her a ride in the Prodrive Ferrari at Road Atlanta early in 2003, she was seconds off the pace and the team yanked her in the race and put in her co-driver, who was very sick, had already run a full stint, and really didn't want to drive again. She was supposed to drive other races for them like Petit LeMans, but that quietly faded away and she was replaced with Jan Lammers. In Barber Dodge, she was regularly beaten by Rhonda Trammell. She is often credited with a "win" at the Toyota celebrity race, even though she (and Kendall) were beaten by a celebrity (Dana Torres). No one remembers the third place pro, who ran with Kendall and Patrick for most of the race and then decided to let them go as they were driving for fun and thought Kendall and Danica would take each other out. That driver was Sarah Fisher (not known as a road racer).

Danica's 2 runs in DP were not exactly earth shaking, as she was often off the pace, erratic, and apparently a bit hard on equipment. This past year, Crawford pulled her well before her last stint was over, and when the other drivers were double and triple stinting, she was not.

Danica is a good driver, but is she really that good, or has she been a product of good marketing and luck? In her early years in the IRL, her car control was impressive. She can be fast, but is she a racer? IMHO, she has definite driving talent, but doesn't seem to have developed much over the years. She deserves her ride as much as some others as she brings sponsors, but if a ride was based solely on talent, I don't think she would be in the IRL. Some drivers get better with experience, and some plateau and never quite achieve the potential they once appeared to have. IMHO, she fits into that category.

Milka is an interesting case, as she has never shown much pure driving talent. But she is smart, has shown to be determined and tenacious, and keeps getting better. I NEVER thought she would be anything but an off the pace backmarker, but she has managed to surprise. She still isn't a threat for a win or even a top 10. But every year there are more than a couple drivers running behind her. She has gained my respect for tenacity and the effort to improve. Some drivers, like her, achieve beyond their natural talent through hard work.

Sarah in my mind is a real racer. She has done well in everything she has driven (contrary to the claims of some), often with less that top equipment, and seems to have great loyalty and respect from those around her. One of the best stories rarely mentioned is when she was in Nascar West (and Rookie of the Year) and was invited to the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale. Her regular team wouldn't supply a car, so another team gave her a ride. Her regular crew paid their own way to the race, and then they worked almost all night to fix the car after she was wrecked, just because they wanted her to race. They obviously believed in her and wanted her to do well. She finished 11th, on the lead lap, in a borrowed car, that wasn't exactly in the best shape. Her IRL team this year (when was the last owner/driver in the field?) looks and behaves as professional as a Penske or Gannassi. They never look like a low budget team. Impressive.

By the way, if you want more links, do what I did, look it up on the intardnet. Its all there is you want to dig.

[chuck34]

She may be slightly better than Milka in terms of actual skill but they both got there by looking halfway descent and making some sort of sexual appeal.

You sure about that? I think Milka is married to some sort of executive at Citgo. At least that's the rumor I've heard.

Ok so maybe it is all about her looking halfway decent (at least from a distance) :-O

[TURN3]

Case closed! Beachbum is my new hero!!! I didn't look to see there were so many links to pre-Atlantic days. I stopped there and formed my opinion based on what was said about her. Those are the facts to back it up. Pretty hard to argue with facts but some try...I don't get it.

[Gluaistean]

How wrong you are....

Danica actually won a ton of karting races, and even did well in lower formula single seat series. Sarah also won in karting, and in midgets and sprint cars. Their first head-to-head showdown was in the LBGP celebrity race years ago, and Danica came out on top. Both can race, though Danica (love her, or hate her) has a better chance to do well at Indy. She is in better shape, and has better equipment and resources than Sarah.

As for Milka....she is very nice, but has no place or pedigree to race at this level. She never won in open wheel racing...finishing 17th or 18th in points in the Barber series. She was a co-winner in Grand-Am, though she was 5-8 seconds a lap slower than her team-mates.....

And, another nod to Sarah and her team...the presentation of her car, equipment, crew is on par with Ganassi and AGR. Very impressive for a team with a fraction of the resources.

Sarah remains one of the nicest people who you can meet in racing...Danica (aka, "the Princess") not so much. Milka is very sweet....but again, well out of her league. She should stick to the Charro routine.

I stated this based upon each having the same equipment. Milka, for her defense has bot had anything like Danica Patrick and she was one of those who never had to race underfunded. She was second in a FF in GB and that was it.

Milka qualified for this years 500 and did it twice. Is she 33rd? I don't think she is.

As for Sarah, personality and ability. Great combination. We could go round and round with the Milka, Patrick deal all night but at last we agree on this.

[SportscarBruce]

"just don't know what Indy means."

So many, on so many levels too.

[Jag_Warrior]

Some time ago, I started wondering about all of these statistics. Ever since Danica went to England to run FF, there has seemed to be an interesting mystique that has been built up surrounding her talents. One of the great things about the intardnet is there is a surprising amount of information available. So, I went and pulled the WKA results for a bunch of years.

http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1994.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1995.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1996.html
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/season_archives/mc-standings-1997.html

These are the years often used to show how good she was in karts from 12-15 years old. In 1994, she was mostly near the bottom of her classes in points when people like "SAMUEL HORNISH-JR" (I've heard of him!) and "SARAH FISHER" were either at the top (Sam) or near the top. 1995 and 1996 were good years with her finishing at the top or second in a number of classes. But 1997 and 1998 she was back in mid pack. Did she have a lot of wins? Yes, but so did a lot of other drivers who are well known today, like Ryan Hunter-Reay. Oddly enough, most of those karting winners are now in stock cars. When drivers like Fisher went to drive 800 hp sprint cars, Danica was still running around in 100cc karts. One karting champion, Candice Jolly (who won 2 WKA championships in 1995 and is listed in her promos as a 17 time karting champion) is driving Monster Trucks.

When Danica went to England, she joined up with one of the best FF teams. One of the early articles about that had her listed as a 5 time karting champion, yet she only won 2 WKA championships. Perhaps a slight oversight?

http://atlasf1.autosport.com/2000/aus/okeefe.html

Her foray into FF and Vauxall in England was firmly midpack, with one good result at the FF festival and eventually she no longer had a ride.

So, how much is hype and how much is real? When Rahal got her a ride in the Prodrive Ferrari at Road Atlanta early in 2003, she was seconds off the pace and the team yanked her in the race and put in her co-driver, who was very sick, had already run a full stint, and really didn't want to drive again. She was supposed to drive other races for them like Petit LeMans, but that quietly faded away and she was replaced with Jan Lammers. In Barber Dodge, she was regularly beaten by Rhonda Trammell. She is often credited with a "win" at the Toyota celebrity race, even though she (and Kendall) were beaten by a celebrity (Dana Torres). No one remembers the third place pro, who ran with Kendall and Patrick for most of the race and then decided to let them go as they were driving for fun and thought Kendall and Danica would take each other out. That driver was Sarah Fisher (not known as a road racer).

Danica's 2 runs in DP were not exactly earth shaking, as she was often off the pace, erratic, and apparently a bit hard on equipment. This past year, Crawford pulled her well before her last stint was over, and when the other drivers were double and triple stinting, she was not.

Danica is a good driver, but is she really that good, or has she been a product of good marketing and luck? In her early years in the IRL, her car control was impressive. She can be fast, but is she a racer? IMHO, she has definite driving talent, but doesn't seem to have developed much over the years. She deserves her ride as much as some others as she brings sponsors, but if a ride was based solely on talent, I don't think she would be in the IRL. Some drivers get better with experience, and some plateau and never quite achieve the potential they once appeared to have. IMHO, she fits into that category.

Milka is an interesting case, as she has never shown much pure driving talent. But she is smart, has shown to be determined and tenacious, and keeps getting better. I NEVER thought she would be anything but an off the pace backmarker, but she has managed to surprise. She still isn't a threat for a win or even a top 10. But every year there are more than a couple drivers running behind her. She has gained my respect for tenacity and the effort to improve. Some drivers, like her, achieve beyond their natural talent through hard work.

Sarah in my mind is a real racer. She has done well in everything she has driven (contrary to the claims of some), often with less that top equipment, and seems to have great loyalty and respect from those around her. One of the best stories rarely mentioned is when she was in Nascar West (and Rookie of the Year) and was invited to the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale. Her regular team wouldn't supply a car, so another team gave her a ride. Her regular crew paid their own way to the race, and then they worked almost all night to fix the car after she was wrecked, just because they wanted her to race. They obviously believed in her and wanted her to do well. She finished 11th, on the lead lap, in a borrowed car, that wasn't exactly in the best shape. Her IRL team this year (when was the last owner/driver in the field?) looks and behaves as professional as a Penske or Gannassi. They never look like a low budget team. Impressive.

By the way, if you want more links, do what I did, look it up on the intardnet. Its all there is you want to dig.

Excellent, informative post! :up:

[EagleEye]

I agree with everything you said, compliments to Sarah, etc. Your wrong about Danica's history though. One of the reasons I've come to not stand her is because she's actually never achieved ANYTHING. She is literally no different than Milka when it comes to how she got to Indycars. She may be slightly better than Milka in terms of actual skill but they both got there by looking halfway descent and making some sort of sexual appeal. Danica won in karting occasionally but at that level you have to put things into perspective. I was our town's top little league pitcher and somehow I got looked over for a mult-million $$ contract with the Yankees...know what I mean? Against pros in the lower ranks, she has NEVER won anything and was consistently a mid-packer and off the pace of the guys that win and have moved onto the big time racing series. She's never had outright speed...EVER...except when she was with RLR in the dominant Honda days. Even then, she only had to beat her teammates and 1 other team (AGR I believe was the other Honda team then?) and couldn't do it.

We all know that racing isn't what it used to be. These days it isn't about who is good, skilled, and brave. It is all about the almighty dollar. There is nobody to blame for that, that is just how life works. If is was only about skill and talent, neither of them would be driving race cars for a living.

I'm 100% correct about her history. She won a TON of karting races, and not just club level racing, but national and regional events. I think she finsished in the top ten in the Barber Pro series, while Milk dyd was in the the bottom 20. She won or finished well at all level. Sorry, comparing her to Milka is like comparing apples and figs... In equal equipment, Danica would win buy a mile and half. Now, if we move ot the tight sweater competition....then you would have a different winner.

I am not a huge fan, or supporter of Danica. She has had great equipment, and has no doubt under-performed. She needs to spend more time reviewing the car's data, and less time in front of the mirror. And I'm not talking about any mirror on her car.

When she was young, she was on par to be one of the best...then fame hit and clouded the issue. Are there more deserving drivers...yes. Geibler, 'Dinger, Scott Speed, and some others would drive circles around her. But, she does have talent.

I've been at the tracks and races, and she has "it". she may not be the fastest, or best, but she is damn good on the track. Milka...does not have it, nor will she ever. If Danica finishes the race, she will be on the same lap as the leaders. If Milka finishes, she will be at least five laps down.

Again, I'd rather spend tome talking with Milka than "The Princess"....

[SarahFan]

Sarah Rocks!!!!!

danica and milka.....not so much

[TURN3]

I'm 100% correct about her history. She won a TON of karting races, and not just club level racing, but national and regional events. I think she finsished in the top ten in the Barber Pro series, while Milk dyd was in the the bottom 20. She won or finished well at all level. Sorry, comparing her to Milka is like comparing apples and figs... In equal equipment, Danica would win buy a mile and half. Now, if we move ot the tight sweater competition....then you would have a different winner.

I am not a huge fan, or supporter of Danica. She has had great equipment, and has no doubt under-performed. She needs to spend more time reviewing the car's data, and less time in front of the mirror. And I'm not talking about any mirror on her car.

When she was young, she was on par to be one of the best...then fame hit and clouded the issue. Are there more deserving drivers...yes. Geibler, 'Dinger, Scott Speed, and some others would drive circles around her. But, she does have talent.

I've been at the tracks and races, and she has "it". she may not be the fastest, or best, but she is damn good on the track. Milka...does not have it, nor will she ever. If Danica finishes the race, she will be on the same lap as the leaders. If Milka finishes, she will be at least five laps down.

Again, I'd rather spend tome talking with Milka than "The Princess"....


Sorry dude. Looking at all the stats and facts, I'm hard pressed to see where Danica ever won a lot of anything. Maybe you're definition of a lot is different? My hero (beachbum) just posted facts and yet you argue she was good and she's got it on the track. So I'm afraid you are in fact wrong in this case. Danica NEVER had it or anything for that matter...she's pathetic. Sorry, if this was court the evidence wouldn't even get us into arbitration. I don't think Milka is as good as Danica but I do agree with the suggestions here that she is getting more out of what she has than Danica. You and anybody else can argue all you want...figures don't lie. Bottom line is they neither one deserve to be in a professional racing series.

[beachbum]

I'm 100% correct about her history. She won a TON of karting races, and not just club level racing, but national and regional events. I think she finsished in the top ten in the Barber Pro series, while Milk dyd was in the the bottom 20. She won or finished well at all level. 100%? Once again, facts are easy to find, so please avoid the speculation. Danica has a grand total of TWO "wins" in any car (anything not a kart). The Toyota Celebrity race where she won her class, not overall, and Montegi. That's it. She won in karts, but wasn't even a stand out compared to someone like Dan Di Leo. Looking over the kart records, there are many karting champs with tons of wins who never went any further. As for Barber Dodge, she didn't finish in the top 10. She only ran one year (2002) and finished 13th. Incidentally, Dan Di Leo was 4th, Memo Rojas was 5th, and some guy named Allmendinger was the champ.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=104232&FS=BARBER-PRO

That is one of the issues with the Danica mystique. So much is just a bit distorted, or slightly exaggerated, or carefully massaged to appear more than it is. She is good, but her verifiable record is no better that most midpack drivers, and not as good as many.

Milka didn't do much in Barber Dodge, but the point about Milka is she keeps working hard and keeps getting better. She hasn't won anything of substance, except as a co-driver, but she has developed to maximize her talent. She certainly has more experience in more types of cars that Danica, who really has very limited experience in anything other than open wheel.

[SarahFan]

100%? Once again, facts are easy to find, so please avoid the speculation. Danica has a grand total of TWO "wins" in any car (anything not a kart). The Toyota Celebrity race where she won her class, not overall, and Montegi. That's it. She won in karts, but wasn't even a stand out compared to someone like Dan Di Leo. Looking over the kart records, there are many karting champs with tons of wins who never went any further. As for Barber Dodge, she didn't finish in the top 10. She only ran one year (2002) and finished 13th. Incidentally, Dan Di Leo was 4th, Memo Rojas was 5th, and some guy named Allmendinger was the champ.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=104232&FS=BARBER-PRO

That is one of the issues with the Danica mystique. So much is just a bit distorted, or slightly exaggerated, or carefully massaged to appear more than it is. She is good, but her verifiable record is no better that most midpack drivers, and not as good as many.

Milka didn't do much in Barber Dodge, but the point about Milka is she keeps working hard and keeps getting better. She hasn't won anything of substance, except as a co-driver, but she has developed to maximize her talent. She certainly has more experience in more types of cars that Danica, who really has very limited experience in anything other than open wheel.


the fact that Allmendinger doesn't race in in OW is a tragedy!!!!!!

[Gluaistean]

I'm always amused when I see a person post a wild speculative number relative to a driver. When presented with clear evidence to the contrary they retort that "I'm 100%" correct. Then, this is followed by a "ton" of races.

What's that? I want 4 wins and two seconds of butter please.

Please excuse the sarcasm but based upon the dollars of her dad and the support of Bernie plus her so so looks she would be nothing more than another average girl.

[beachbum]

I'm always amused when I see a person post a wild speculative number relative to a driver. When presented with clear evidence to the contrary they retort that "I'm 100%" correct. Then, this is followed by a "ton" of races.

What's that? I want 4 wins and two seconds of butter please.

Please excuse the sarcasm but based upon the dollars of her dad and the support of Bernie plus her so so looks she would be nothing more than another average girl.
That brings up another point. Many PR releases state she had the support of Bernie when she went to England. There was an old article (now lost in cyberspace) concerning that very topic. Apparently Danica or her handlers wrote to Bernie asking for support and help. He did sent her a letter with the usual words of encouragement - hope you do great, racing can always use a female driver, you will go far if you apply yourself, blah blah blah. After he PR machine issued releases that Bernie was supporting her, he had to issue a release that he was just responding with words of encouragement, and it was not an endorsement. Some of his later comments weren't complimentary. That part seems to have faded in memory and history.

Racing is filled with drivers who won a lot in lower classes like karts. That doesn't always translate to success when they move on to more powerful machines. The converse is true as well. Some well known racers weren't all that successful until they moved into faster and more powerful equipment where their style and abilities shined. Sam Hornish was very average in Atlantics (most fans don't even know he ran Atlantics), but he did just fine when he moved to the faster IRL cars.

Danica is still a solid racer, but she has always had the very best equipment (name one POS she raced - ever), and she hasn't really shined in the "big" cars.

I don't have a problem with DP in the IRL like some. She has shown she has the ability to race in the series and she is certainly qualified to be there. Even Milka has developed to the point where she is good enough to stay. Maybe not good enough to be in the top 10, but she isn't the slowest driver out there anymore.

[F1fanru]

I'm glad Milka and Sarah are in the field. Resources low, te4am spirit and good engineering high.

Do you { Danicafan} honestly believe that given the same equipment, that Sarah and Milka have that Patrick would be in the 500?

I for one do not believe that she has the necessary talent that is required to win a race {not a fuel strategy} race on her own.

I do however believe that Sarah Fisher given the same equipment over the past few years as Patrick would have won a few times.

AS far as Sarah is concerned you'd be wrong, she's still living off running a few races at Eldora along with the other 1000's who have, and a pole 7 years ago. She's been in the 500 7 times and her best finish was 4 laps down. In 71 races she's finished on the lead lap 7 times.

[speeddurango]

Danica is obviously not a great driver but I found when people are criticizing her inability of delivering results to the media exposure she gets, a lot of times people over reacted a lot too, for example, for example, stating her just being an average girl or something like that, it's just stupid isn't it, she's a slightly below average IRL driver out there objectively, and the IRL is obviously the highest step in open wheel in US, also, her resume isn't excllent in terms of race wins, but on the other hand, she's usually in the middle to top positions in the series she's competed in anyway. Then again don't get confused because I'm not saying she's a great driver, just pointing out the obvious overstatement.

[garyshell]

Danica is obviously not a great driver but I found when people are criticizing her inability of delivering results to the media exposure she gets, a lot of times people over reacted a lot too, for example, for example, stating her just being an average girl or something like that, it's just stupid isn't it, she's a slightly below average IRL driver out there objectively, and the IRL is obviously the highest step in open wheel in US, also, her resume isn't excllent in terms of race wins, but on the other hand, she's usually in the middle to top positions in the series she's competed in anyway. Then again don't get confused because I'm not saying she's a great driver, just pointing out the obvious overstatement.


Yep, the hyperbole from BOTH sides is a bit over the top. Reality is somewhere in the midst of all that.

Gary

[EagleEye]

Sorry dude. Looking at all the stats and facts, I'm hard pressed to see where Danica ever won a lot of anything. Maybe you're definition of a lot is different? My hero (beachbum) just posted facts and yet you argue she was good and she's got it on the track. So I'm afraid you are in fact wrong in this case. Danica NEVER had it or anything for that matter...she's pathetic. Sorry, if this was court the evidence wouldn't even get us into arbitration. I don't think Milka is as good as Danica but I do agree with the suggestions here that she is getting more out of what she has than Danica. You and anybody else can argue all you want...figures don't lie. Bottom line is they neither one deserve to be in a professional racing series.

Quick question. Have you ever met Danica, Sarah and Milka? Do you attend almost every race and talk to owners, sponsors, crew mebers, etc?

If your answer is yes, then we probably know each other, very well I might add.

If your answer is no, then get off your duff and ask the people who are there week in and week out.

Barber Pro Series...Milka bottom 20, Danica top ten.

Danica has more trphies in her car than Milka has at home.

Ask any engineer, team owner or driver who they would rather have on the track, and you would not get one vote for Milka. Ask each one which one they would prefer to hang out at Union Jacks, most would pick Milka.

I'll be at the track at 8:00am. See you there...

[TURN3]

Quick question. Have you ever met Danica, Sarah and Milka? Do you attend almost every race and talk to owners, sponsors, crew mebers, etc?

If your answer is yes, then we probably know each other, very well I might add.

If your answer is no, then get off your duff and ask the people who are there week in and week out.

Barber Pro Series...Milka bottom 20, Danica top ten.

Danica has more trphies in her car than Milka has at home.

Ask any engineer, team owner or driver who they would rather have on the track, and you would not get one vote for Milka. Ask each one which one they would prefer to hang out at Union Jacks, most would pick Milka.

I'll be at the track at 8:00am. See you there...


First off, I didn't say Milka was better than Danica, I only said I agreed with the idea she gets more out of what she has been given talent and equipment wise. So if you're as involved with a team as you seem to be implying, then it must be a crappy team because you're putting words in my mouth indicating a lack of intelligence. Why don't you re-read the posts and get off of your duff, ehhh?

Secondly, you're position is changing and you've become defensive. That is normal for a person that was just shown their statements were absolutely inacccurate and unfounded. You've went from saying Danica has won tons of races to now she was top 10 and ahead of Milka. You've went to stating you're 100% correct to ask anybody. Need I point out more how whack your philosophy is?

Sounds like you'd better be putting some more time into whatever it is you do and worry less about stating things you have no clue over (or at least have a warped sense of reality over). Or, maybe you can spend some time teaching Danica how to have guts, how to provide feedback, or how to just be a professional race car driver in general. It couldn't be more obvious to the entire world she got to where she is by 1. Being a girl 2. Being fairly descent looking. 3. False or misleading press. Stats don't lie!!! Read 'em and wee

[beachbum]

Quick question. Have you ever met Danica, Sarah and Milka? Do you attend almost every race and talk to owners, sponsors, crew mebers, etc?

If your answer is yes, then we probably know each other, very well I might add.

If your answer is no, then get off your duff and ask the people who are there week in and week out.

Barber Pro Series...Milka bottom 20, Danica top ten.

Danica has more trphies in her car than Milka has at home.

Ask any engineer, team owner or driver who they would rather have on the track, and you would not get one vote for Milka. Ask each one which one they would prefer to hang out at Union Jacks, most would pick Milka.

I'll be at the track at 8:00am. See you there...I am certainly not arguing that Milka is as good as Danica, or even close to the same speed. I personally think Danica is much faster than Milka ever will be. But if I had to choose between the 2, I would choose neither. I would chose someone else. The relative speed and skill isn't the discussion. It is a discussion of facts versus myth and conjecture.

Quick answer - nope, I have never personally met any of the female drivers listed. Yup, I do have a garage full of racing trophies myself, but that hardly makes me qualified to drive an Indy Car.

Long answer - I have personally spent time on the pit side of the wall, in a number of capacities. I am not just some keyboard racer who has never stepped inside the racing world. I have lived in it. As someone who has been involved in professional racing, I have often seen the dichotomy between a public persona and the real person behind the image. Very often the two versions are almost completely opposite. I have seen PR puff pieces that are so far from the truth that they are laughable. I watched a TV pit reporter fall hook line and sinker for an obvious "misinformation" and then put it out on the air while all of the teams walked away shaking their heads. I have sat and bench raced with champions and watched future champions developing in their early years. So don't tell me to get off my duff. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt, wore it out, and used it for a shop rag.

I have also seen teams fire racers who seem to be doing great and retain ones who may not have the best results. Speed alone does not make a great racer. Most teams look at a lot more that just how fast a driver is. They need a wealth of other skills and attributes as well and need to contribute to a team. I was once told privately by a team manager that a certain racer who was on their way to a championship was going to be fired at the end of the year. Why? Because they brought too much baggage to the team and caused too much trouble. The political correct term was their contract was not renewed after they won the championship. Almost no one saw it coming.

You make an interesting quote


Ask each one which one they would prefer to hang out at Union Jacks, most would pick Milka.That says a great deal. If a driver isn't the person you would want to hang out with from time to time, how much support will they get from their team in a crisis, or when times get tough? In my personal experience, not much. Many teams would be perfectly fine hanging them out to dry. There is always some new hot shoe coming along to fill the gap and they may not care to carry the personal baggage of a driver not all that popular on the team. But when a racer is popular, they can often get some support they may not get otherwise.

But believe whatever you want.

[Mark in Oshawa]

First off, if Danica looked like a troll, she wouldn't have the ride she has now. A great looking woman who can bring sponsors and keep the car on the track will get a ride over some guy with good talent (not a phenom). THAT is why Danica has her ride. She is adequate behind the wheel, but people are dreaming if they think she sets her car up. If she did, TK wouldn't be out there doing laps in her car now would he? Danica never won in Atlantics, when they only had 14 car fields and half the cars were on their last legs. She never won much in FF and while she did ok in Karts, she never was an obvious world beater. That said, she won in Japan (it counts) and she has done pretty well once she has a car set up and running. I may not like her personality (make that I DON'T like it) and I think she is full of doublestandards and BS but she has the talent to not be a highspeed road block. In short, I don't think she would scare anyone from being worried about her professionalism out there ont the track.

AS for Milka making the 500, god help us all if she causes a wreck and damn near kills someone. She is a nice lady and god knows she has "assets" on the PR side with her looks, but she never did squat as a racer without a lot of help and mascara. It was put best by Ashley Judd in that she does NOT belong out there. Ashley's opinion I am sure is shared by Dario but Dario isn't going to come out and say it. Most drivers wouldn't say S#$T if they had a mouthful on this topic.

I like Milka as a personality, but she has no business racing in the 500.

Sarah? I like Sarah. Like Erin Crocker, she raced sprint cars and she gets a bonus star for guts on that score. I have no idea if she won or not in Sprint cars, I am sure I could go find out if I looked. That said, Sarah I am not sure belongs there either but since no one gave her a damned thing and she keeps putting cars in the field, I guess she does belong doesn't she?

The best woman who isnt' there? Probably better than all 3 of these is Katharine Legge. If she wasn't sandbagged by a lack of experience and a team owner cutting her to the wolves in the death throes of the CCWS, I think she might have shown more. Ms. Legge downplayed her looks, didn't ask for favours, and won in Atlantics. I watched those races. She beat a few guys who could drive a little and she showed no fear or lack of ability there. In Champ Car she didn't quite show as well, but a lot of rookies don't. I think she had the best blend of attitude and ability along with Sarah, but alas, it is the women with the looks getting the sponsors.

Sexism in racing is alive and well, but it isn't the race drivers doing it, it is the sponsors and society in general. Make all these women little guys with ordinary names, maybe none of them make it, but the ones with the looks are getting the sponsors, while the ordinary tomboy who thinks 800hp sprint cars a fun hobby is struggling for attention.

I hope like Hell Sarah puts a top 5 on the board.....she is worthy of support, and yet she just isnt' getting it....

[SportscarBruce]

Danica entered the series with the required "stones" and raw car control needed at the level but her techincal knowldge was indeed lacking. Review the 2005 Indy footage, she was wiling and able to push the car right up to the limit. When the car dynamics changed she adapted herself to the car, a common tendency of drivers with an incomplete skill set. Once Danica joined AGR she began to fill that knowledge gap. The presence of Tim Green and AGR's stable of drivers played a definite role. Negatively slanted opinions concerning Danica's ability to interpret car feedback in order to communicate and/or implement necesssary adjustments are quite simply outdated. Note: during last year's Indy 500 qualifying sessions it was Tony Kannan who found himself chasing the car, when he realized time was running short Tony put his ego aside and used Danica's setup. He experienced a dramatic improvement. That example of setting ego aside should serve as a lesson across the board, if you will. ;)

[F1boat]

neither one deserve to be in a professional racing series.

I am sorry, but Danica has an IRL win. It was on strategy, but it was a win. She deserves to be in the series.
Also, is she not in front of Marco in the standings?

[SportscarBruce]

neither one deserve to be in a professional racing series.

Unlike 1996's Racin Garner the bull rider and Dr. Miller the racing dentist, and for that matter if we're looking at career starts/finishes, Michael Waltrip

[Nem14]

I haven't noticed. Does Milka keep a boy toy around? Married? What's her status?

[Jag_Warrior]

I haven't noticed. Does Milka keep a boy toy around? Married? What's her status?

Unless something has happend recently, she's very married. And since I have the distinction of being her Stalker in Waiting, there's really no point in even asking. :D

Whatever her driving skills, she's one helluva nice person... unless you're really looking for a problem (ala Danica). Then you get the MML (Maximum Mad Latina). But at the ALMS race in DC, she was signing autographs and making nice with everyone who approached her. Some guy, who I guess had had a few too many drinks in the hot sun, made a comment about whether or not "they were real", and a few other crude, sexually suggestive comments, that were really uncalled for. I was fairly close to her and I heard him, so I'm sure that she heard him too. She didn't bat an eye. She just kept being nice to the people who were being nice to her.

Since the first time I met her at a Women's Global GT race about ten years ago, I've found her to be one of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever met at the track. Over time, I've watched her improve incredibly. But do I see her ever being consistently in the Top 10... even with the best car? No. Do I see her continuing to improve until the day she stops racing competively? Yes. Do I think she should be in the IRL? Not for me to say. The IRL isn't exactly Formula One, but in any case, she is not the worst driver out there. Does she have her drive primarily because of her husband's CITGO connections? Yes. But unlike some drivers, and depending on how she was approached, I think Milka is comfortable enough in her own skin that she would admit that.

Milka's outlook reminds me very much of Angelle Sampey's. Unike Milka, Angelle is a multi-time NHRA champion, but both come off as very decent people. Neither is full of themselves or has a big head.