Danica Patrick, Jeff Olson, Paul Webb, Chicagoland Speedway, Arizona, Andretti Green Racing, Indy DownForce
Off-season?
Danica’s
Ron McQueeney/IMS Photo
Forget Cheetos and the TV remote…the off-season is
anything but relaxing for a star IndyCar Series driver
As related to Jeff Olson Photo by Paul Webb
W
hat’s it like for a race car driver when
the wheels stop turning? Think the
off-season is nothing but endless
hours on the couch with a bag of Cheetos in
one hand and the remote in the other?
Hardly.
For racers, the off-season is nearly as busy as
the on-season. Just when you’d think a vacation
might break out, the duties return. Sponsor
appearances, testing, team meetings and other
demands keep drivers from getting too lazy.
Just ask Danica Patrick. We did, and she was
kind enough to provide a diary of her very
eventful off-season activities. Take it away, DP:
September 19
Our off-season finally arrived, and I am so
ready for it. Even though our last race at
Chicagoland Speedway was Sept. 9, I still didn’t
get to go home to Arizona for a while after that
because I had a few more commitments.
First, we had the IndyCar Series awards
ceremony on Sept. 11. I always enjoy the
awards ceremonies because it’s one of the few
opportunities to get together with the drivers
14 IndyCarSeries 2007 winterspecial
DIARY
at a time when we’re relaxed. So many times
at the racetrack we’re busy and stressed, so the
banquets are a great time to have some fun
and socialize with each other.
On Sept. 12, we went to the Indy DownForce
Fan Club party, which was fun. It’s always great
to get a chance to meet the fans when you’re
away from the track and don’t have to run off to
a practice or a meeting or something like that.
I always feel like I’m rushed at the track and
can’t give as much time to the fans as I’d like,
but at a party like this one, you can really
spend some time talking to people. Our fans
are great, that’s for sure.
I got home later in the week and had a
chance to unwind. It was great to be home for
a few days with no deadlines or responsibilities.
I’m really a homebody; I enjoy just being home
and going through a normal routine. I find that
so relaxing and comforting.
Things should be a little slower for the next
few weeks, but we aren’t without things to do.
I’m off to a two-day sponsor appearance this
weekend for Andretti Green Racing, so there is
still work to be done.
Danica and others
congratulate
then-teammate
Dario Franchitti on
his Championship
on Sept. 11
“The
banquets
are a great
time to
have
fun and
socialize ”
Danica Patrick
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