Danica Patrick
First, of course I was rooting for Danica Patrick yesterday. Weren’t we all?
But as happy as I am about her success, I also want to caution folks against getting too fired up just yet. You have to keep in mind that she’s racing on an essentially minor league circuit.
If you recall, a few years back Tony George bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, created the Indy Racing League, and tried to strongarm CART into playing by a new set of rules (some history here). CART basically told him to shove it, so he launched his circuit with second-tier drivers. When CART drivers have run Indy in recent years, they have tended to dominate the IRL tour regulars.
None of this is designed to detract from Patrick’s accomplishments. It was a big deal when Manon Rheaume started in goal for Tampa Bay, and it was a big deal that a woman not only started at Indy and finished fourth, but threatened to win. But it wasn’t a major league big deal.
When DP gets some experience under her belt (heck, she’s only 23, and most male drivers her age are in the minors, too) and joins a CART, NASCAR, or Formula 1 team and wins, then we can pop some corks.
For the record, I’m comfortable predicting she’ll do just that.
lullaby pit 
Best finish by a woman in 89 years!
I see where you are coming from, but I’m still pretty fired up about it. It’s pretty cool that she finished fourth. Even after stalling her car she was able get back into the top ten. Not only that, but after damaging the nose of her car she managed to get up into fourth place. She is defiantly a rookie and she admitted that in an interview she did after the race. She may not be the best thing since sliced bread, but she defiantly on her way.