Home Page American Government Reference Desk Shopping Special Collections About Us Contribute



Escort, Inc.





GM Icons
By accessing/using The Crittenden Automotive Library/CarsAndRacingStuff.com, you signify your agreement with the Terms of Use on our Legal Information page. Our Privacy Policy is also available there.

Recognizing the Achievement of Danica Patrick at This Year's Indianapolis 500


American Government Open Wheel Racing Topics:  Danica Patrick, Indianapolis 500

Recognizing the Achievement of Danica Patrick at This Year's Indianapolis 500

Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin
Remarks as published in the Congressional Record
June 29, 2005
Washington D.C., USA

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Beloit, Wisconsin native Danica Patrick for her outstanding achievement at this year’s Indianapolis 500. Anyone who watched the race knows that her performance this past May was simply remarkable.

Even before the green flag dropped, Danica amazed the racing world by qualifying in the fourth position, marking the highest beginning position for a woman in the Indianapolis 500’s history. When the race started, fans across the country watched as Danica advanced as high as third place. At lap 80, Danica’s engine stalled, causing her to drop back to 16th place. It looked like the race was over for her, but she fought back. As the race sped to its end, Danica charged through the field, advanced place after place, and eventually led the race for a total of 19 laps. Rather than play it safe, Danica gunned it out for the win by using all the fuel she had instead of taking a pit stop. As the checkered flag waived, Danica’s efforts came up just short as she finished fourth—the highest finish ever for a woman. While Danica did not win this year’s Indy 500, her performance won her this year’s Rookie of the Year award and helped her capture the attention of racing fans around the world.

Danica’s philosophy is that ‘‘life is what you make of it,’’ and she says she prepares for races by visualizing herself making laps around the track. She gives her work her full attention, and it is clear that her dedication is strong and her perseverance fierce. I join Wisconsin in applauding Danica for her performance at this year’s Indianapolis 500 and for her hard work and dedication in becoming one of Formula 1 Racing’s most exciting drivers. I cannot wait to see Danica’s future electrifying races and I wish her the best of luck.

Congratulations to you, Danica.




The Crittenden Automotive Library