Danica Patrick isn't a terrible driver. She's ranked 25th right now in the Sprint Cup series, ahead of notables such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Bobby Labonte, within sight of names like Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart, and ahead of the David Cabal: Ragan, Reutimann, Gilliland and Stremme.
However, Patrick receives attention far out of proportion to her actual racing statistics, and for that reason, she tends to draw more heat (and notice) than most drivers. So when she gets to talking, other drivers aren't always willing to listen.
Case in point: Sunday's Kansas race, where Patrick finished a disappointing 25th. According to USA Today, she was not pleased with fellow twentysomething David Gilliland: "He tries to take me out every time," Patrick told her team during the race. "Tell his spotter that I'm coming after him if he does it again. In fact, I might just do it right now."
[Related: Ill-timed caution costs Dale Earnhardt Jr. a chance to win]
She didn't carry through on her threat to break out the chrome horn, however. Nor did she give any postrace interviews at the track. Gilliland, who finished 23rd, had a simple message for Patrick, delivered through his PR rep:
"Shut up and race."
You know, that's solid advice right there, not just for the track, but for life. David Gilliland, speedway philosopher.
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