Indianapolis – Dan Wheldon and Danica Patrick are like two models battling for position.
The Dan vs. Danica daytime drama is back on track at the 90th Indianapolis 500 today.
A year ago, all eyes were focused on the beauty of Patrick. When Wheldon made a late-race pass of her for the lead, the equivalent of a buzz kill falling over the crowd, he momentarily spoiled the rookie success story that had captivated the masses.
Wheldon went on to win and Patrick was fourth, the best finish by a woman in America’s oldest car race. The spotlight remained on her, with Wheldon settling for ambient light.
But Wheldon is no beast. He looks like a model, and one of his favorite pastimes is shopping for clothes. He likes to look good, especially in front of the cameras. He admits to spending a lot of time in front of the mirror. Maybe a few others will notice him, too, if he repeats as champion today.
Looking back, Wheldon says he had no problem with the attention paid to Patrick.
“I felt, honestly, that if you compare the media attention I got to what (2004 winner) Buddy Rice got the year before, I think you’d have to say that I got more,” Wheldon said. “Part of that was me winning the race, but part of it was through Danica. So I don’t feel like I got (shunned) at all. I achieved my biggest dream.”
The two young drivers will start among the top 10 in today’s 33-car field and figure to contend again for victory in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Wheldon, 27, will start third, but for a different team than he raced for when he won last year on his way to the Indy Racing League championship. He joined Chip Ganassi’s team in the offseason, leaving Andretti Green Racing for more money.
“It’s a team that I still have immense respect for and many happy memories,” Wheldon said. “It’s a very tough business. You need to do what’s right for you.”
Wheldon won in his first start with Ganassi, capturing the season-opening race in Homestead, Fla. Wheldon’s Ganassi teammate, Scott Dixon, will start fourth today. He also is expected to contend.
Patrick, 24, qualified 10th, four positions ahead of Rice, her Rahal Letterman Racing teammate. Patrick, who started fourth a year ago, has grown used to, if not bored by, the attention of media and fans.
“I don’t know if I’m just conditioned or if I just know what to expect now, or I just know the situation, but I think we’re just a lot more efficient now,” she said.
Patrick’s dream of winning began in nearby Roscoe, Ill., her hometown. Wheldon first yearned to compete at Indianapolis while growing up in Emberton, England.
“Motor racing in England is common, so I’ve always known of the Indianapolis 500, but the thing that really got me sparked about it was Nigel Mansell,” Wheldon said. “He was Formula One world champion at Williams and then moved to America (in 1993), and the English press followed him at the different racetracks.
“He comes to Indianapolis and was raving about how good this race is, and how much he wanted to win, and how excited he is to be here. That made me stand up and look at it closer.”
Wheldon first came to Indy in 1999 as a guest of a friend’s father, who was competing in a support-series race.
“I was blown away by the atmosphere, the intensity, just seeing the track up close,” he said. “From that point on, it was a race I had to participate in.”
Wheldon got his first chance with Panther Racing, which hired him to compete in two races after the Indy 500 in 2002. Michael Andretti then lured him to his new team before the start of 2003. Wheldon crashed at Indy that year but finished third in 2004.
Last year’s victory put a smile on the face looking back from Wheldon’s mirror. He hopes to see more of the same and share the view with a few more people.
“Winning makes you want it more at this place,” Wheldon said. “You don’t want to lose something that’s been so good for you.”
Indianapolis 500
Schedule: Today, 11 a.m., KMGH-7
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (rectangular oval, 2.5 miles, 9 degrees banking in turns).
Distance: 500 miles, 200 laps.
Last year: Dan Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500 – his fourth victory in five races of the season – ending 35 years of frustration and failure for the Andrettis at the famed event. Danica Patrick’s electrifying run fell short with a nearly empty fuel tank. Patrick became the first woman to lead at Indy, getting out front three times for a total of 19 laps.
On the net: www.indycar.com
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
