Racing Fans Confused By Long-Haired Driver

The Indianapolis 500, the car race whose decline from prominence has officially eradicated the only reason to ever step foot in Indiana, is two weeks away, but qualifying was yesterday, handing race organizers the only publicity angle they ever have (save for tires flying into the stands): Chick Drivers! Danica Patrick, a 23-year-old rookie, finished fourth in qualifying yesterday and will start on the second row. Patrick is not new to the circuit and apparently is the leading candidate for the circuit's rookie of the year, and she seems consistently annoyed by all the attention. Sex appeal might not be her best allure, though; she looks kind of like a longer-maned Lynndie England. Though everybody looks pretty much the same when wearing a helmet (and slamming into a wall at 240 mph).

Staring Role, No Pole (ESPN.com)