Friday, 25th July 2008

IndyCar idol Danica Patrick admits that she should be aware of what she does in the presence of cameras, but that has not stopped her confronting her rivals off-track.

Patrick has had similar encounters, or near encounters, with both Dan Wheldon - who she grabbed physically after an on-track altercation last season - and Ryan Briscoe, who she was on her way to confront at this year's Indianapolis 500, before being persuaded otherwise by officials. Despite that downside to her personality, however, the 26-year old remains popular, with endorsement opportunities helping propel her into the top ten earners on Forbes magazine's list of female athletes.

“I know, as a team, my family and myself, everyone that works closely with us, has worked very hard to make sure that we do a good job with public image, with endorsements, with marketing and advertising for companies," she explained, "That's important to us, so we've made sure that we've done a good job trying to maintain, as well as get to, a new level. I think it works. I'm flattered to be in the top ten.”

She also remains a permanent fixture on the awards circuit, having recently been nominated for a Teen Choice Award for best female athlete, despite reports claiming that she does not handle the presence, and requests, of fans too well.

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“I'm very honoured and flattered to be up for such prestigious awards," she noted, "I was fortunate enough to win best female athlete at the Kid's Choice Awards earlier this year and was up for best female athlete again at the ESPYs and now the Teen Choice. One of the very big fan bases that I have is children and kids, so it's always nice to be able to see them. Nothing puts a smile on your face quite like kids, especially when you can make them smile.”

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