Danica Patrick

IndyCar star driver Danica Patrick will race the 2007 Indy Car season at Andretti Green Racing and acquires two new teammates, Marco Andretti and Dario Franchitti in the change. After racing about four years for Bobby Rahal under the Rahal Letterman Racing banner, Patrick signed with Andretti Green Racing operated by the renowned motorsports family last season.

The attractive open-wheel driver earned swift popularity when she became the fourth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 and the first woman to take the lead during a 2005 race.

Patrick began go-kart racing when 10-years-old and moved to England at the age of 16 to advance her racing career and get experience in open-wheel cars. She will be just 25 during her third year driving in the IndyCar Series as she races toward her second decade of high-speed seat time.

"I obviously want to win," Patrick said. "I want to win soon, and I want to get it over with, so I don't have to answer any more questions and so it doesn't have to be sitting on my shoulders, you know, being that burden. But I can't imagine that I feel any different than anyone else who hasn't won their first race, too."

During a recent Daytona International Speedway test session Patrick seemed comfortable with her new IndyCar arrangement as she talked about teammate Marco Andretti.

Contemporary motorsports is said to be more about preparation and adjustments than it is about number of laps. Most drivers will tell you they are only as good as their team. Most team owners will admit that talent is essential but determination is most important. The secret to winning is more about what's in the minds that make the cars go than it is in the horsepower or suspension in any race car. Much about racing eludes the visual occurrence of cars whipping across a TV screen. As confusing as all that may seem the fastest car that finishes always wins. Still, always too many variables seem to persist at any racetrack. Fortunately this racing paradox doesn't seem to bother race fans.

When fans choose a favorite driver they hope they drive the fastest car and they choose a specific driver for many reasons. Patrick is one skilled driver that delivers many reasons.

Patrick shows a good measure of her maturity as an adult and a driver when she answered our question during a press conference.

In NHRA drag racing Ashley Force turns pro in 2007. She's going to be in good equipment with a good team and she's going to be covered by ESPN. I don't know if that sounds familiar but what advice would you give Ashley Force?

"That, you know, take one step at a time, stay comfortable. I'm sure she'll do well, she's done well already and I think it's just staying within your comfort zone is the most important thing. When you try to hard and make mistakes is when you start to make large steps backwards, so stay within yourself and you'll be fine."