Danica Patrick had a bad day while qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 race that will take place on May 30. She ended up 23rd and blamed it on her car’s setup, calling it “the worst car I have ever had”. The normally popular IndyCar driver got some grief from the fans in the form of boos when her comments were broadcast over the racetrack public address system.
She was shaking and holding back tears after the qualifying run where she averaged 224.217 mph on four laps in her only attempt, and remarked that adjustments on the car throughout the week were poor. She lamented, “The car is just totally skating across the track, and there’s no grip. My mechanics took tons of time to make sure it was fast and slick and no drag. It’s there, it’s just that the setup’s not there. I feel bad for them because it’s a good car.”
When the fans booed her, she was genuinely shocked by their reaction. She said, “I say one confident thing out there, that it’s not me and everybody boos me. I don’t know, maybe they were booing me before, but some of them were probably cheering for me before.”
Two rookie women beat Danica in qualifying. Ana Beatriz of Brazil will start 21st and Simona de Silvestro 22nd. This is the first time that Patrick has not been in the top 10 in her six Indy 500 racing qualifiers.
The rest of Patrick’s teammates, Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan and John Andretti are also struggling, unable to find their usual speed.
Earning pole position is last year’s winner Helio Castroneves, who averaged 227.97 by topping 228 on two of his four laps.
Danica Patrick Sports Illustrated bikini pics here.
More photos and Danica’s comments and boos on video below:
Photos: PicApp