Auto Racing: Qualifications of drivers?, race car drivers, dan wheldon

Question
Hi Dan,
I'm not much of a race fan but have always wondered about why race drivers get into the position they're in. For instance, you get generations of race car drivers whereas, in other sports, it's rare (not impossible) for a father and son to play professional football or baseball.

As far as race car driving, it's almost the rule. I'm especially interested in how this 23 year old girl ended up in the Indy 500....is she there because she's really good or because she's got the financial backing? I have a very hard time believing that she's proven herself in her short life...or, for that matter, that there aren't hundreds of men than are more talented. I'm not against woman drivers at all; I just think it highly unlikely that she's truly the best..considering her age, lack of experience, strength and size. Thanks for your thoughts!

Charlie

Answer
Wwll Charlie, you're way off base if you think she didn't pay her dues.  I suggest that you take a look at the website I just found:

http://www.toyotaatlantic.com/Drivers/Driver.asp?ID=376

It gives you info about her racing background from about 1992 when she would have been 10 years old and racing Go Karts.

This is not to say she hasn't had some major breaks in her racing career but she is VERY talented, and I believe if you ask any of her competitors from yesterdays race you will find that they agree.  Not anybody can put their nose under Dan Wheldon at 228 MPH in a corner and prevail- - -she can.

The secret to success in today's pro racing world is starting very early, Jeff Gordon was 8 years old, as was Mickael Andretti, for that matter his father,  Mario was 15 and still in Italy !!   And of course the other secret is having the financial backing necessary to launch a professional career- - -and it takes millions.

No I don't think there are many male drivers as talented as Danica. Those that did have the talent were there, and she showed a lot of them the way to the checkered flag.   I've been racing since I was 17 or so, and I'm over 60- - -could I compete with her - - -I don't think so.

And the reason you see father son efforts is because it's a damn fine way to make a hell of a nice living, if you've got the determination to be the best.  That's what it takes, and I guarantee you , Danica Patrick has that !!

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida