Synopses & Reviews
Writing this book is an opportunity to share my story of overcoming all the challenges of being the only girl successfully competing in a man's sport. For fourteen years, I have had to prove my skill as a driver and earn the respect of my competition through hard work, determination, dedication, and perseverance. I want to show anyone trying to succeed that anything is possible and that, though being a woman might describe me, it doesn't define who I am on or off the track.
Danica Patrick's life moves at 220 mph. She drives every race and lives every day like she has something to prove -- and she does. A 5-foot 2-inch,100-pound woman, Danica had to qualify a little quicker and race a little faster than the boys. And that was just to earn the respect she would otherwise be given if she weren't the girl on the track, driving the princess mobile. She's had to defend herself, her skill, her ability, and her gender. But you don't get to be an IndyCar driver without talent and determination. Even the drivers who stay at the back of the pack are skilled and capable, but the back of the pack is the last place that Danica wants to be -- on the track or in life.
Danica is a small-town girl who had a big-boy dream and a family who helped her believe that anything was possible. She is living proof that if you work hard and aim high, you can do whatever you set your mind to, that you can rise to any challenge, and that what makes you different is what makes you great. Danica shares secrets and stories, tales from the track, and insights into her personal life that reveal the spirit and drive packed into this all-star athlete and woman.
From the exhilaration and freedom shefelt when she stepped on the pedal of her first go-kart at age ten through her sensational rookie season that turned Indy racing on its head, Danica invites readers into her life. Danica takes us through her early racing years, competing against the boys she now beats as men, and her time in England, battling homesickness, insult, and injury. She talks about the support of the legendary Bobby Rahal, having the best crew in the league, and adjusting to the frenetic pace and attention of Danica mania. Through all this, she's been blessed with a close-knit family and has been fortunate enough to find true love.
Danica competes on a man's level and in a man's sport like no other woman in sports ever has. This book details her extraordinary rise from a ten-year-old go-kart champion to a twenty-three-year-old Indy star, and her unique perspective on how to compete in life, how to stand out, and how to get the respect and attention we deserve.
Synopsis
The personal story of 2005's Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year describes her childhood go-kart wins, her efforts to cross gender boundaries by competing with her male counterparts on their own terms, and her fourth-place success at the 2005 Indy 500. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Danica Patrick's life moves at 220 mph. She drives every race and lives every day like she has something to prove -- and she does. As a 5-foot 2-inch, 100-pound woman, she had to qualify a little quicker and race a little faster than the boys -- just to earn the respect she would otherwise be given if she weren't the "girl on the track, driving the princess mobile." But you don't get to be an IndyCar driver without talent and determination. Danica is living proof that if you work hard and aim high, you can do whatever you set your mind to, that you can rise to any challenge, and that what makes you different is what makes you great. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Sharing secrets and stories, tales from the track, and insights into her personal life, Danica reflects on her extraordinary rise from a ten-year-old go-kart champion to a twenty-three-year-old Indy star. An inspiration to all, she offers her unique perspective on how to compete in life, how to stand out, and how to get the respect and attention you deserve.
Synopsis
Danica Patrick's life moves at 220 mph. She drives every race and lives every day like she has something to prove -- and she does. As a 5-foot 2-inch, 100-pound woman, she had to qualify a little quicker and race a little faster than the boys -- just to earn the respect she would otherwise be given if she weren't the "girl on the track, driving the princess mobile." But you don't get to be an IndyCar driver without talent and determination. Danica is living proof that if you work hard and aim high, you can do whatever you set your mind to, that you can rise to any challenge, and that what makes you different is what makes you great.
Sharing secrets and stories, tales from the track, and insights into her personal life, Danica reflects on her extraordinary rise from a ten-year-old go-kart champion to a twenty-three-year-old Indy star. An inspiration to all, she offers her unique perspective on how to compete in life, how to stand out, and how to get the respect and attention you deserve.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Danica Patrick,andlt;/bandgt; the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, is the highest qualifying and finishing female driver in the history of the Indianapolis 500. Danica was nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete for the 2005 ESPY Awards and named the second most influential driver in motor sports by andlt;Iandgt;Racerandlt;/iandgt; magazine. She is listed as one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry, by andlt;Iandgt;Automotive News,andlt;/iandgt; and was named a finalist for Sportsman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.andlt;bandgt;Laura Mortonandlt;/bandgt; is the author of twenty-three books and has written seven andlt;Iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestsellers, including books with Melissa Etheridge, Joan Lunden, and Marilu Henner.
Table of Contents
Contents Foreword by Bobby Rahal
Introduction
Chapter One: Learning to Drive
Chapter Two: Trust Your Instincts
Chapter Three: Strength in the Pits
Chapter Four: God Save the Queen
Chapter Five: My Big Fat European Victory
Chapter Six: What's a Girl to Do?
Chapter Seven: What About Bob?
Chapter Eight: A Good Guy
Chapter Nine: Embrace the Difference
Chapter Ten: What a Ride! Racing the Indy 500
Chapter Eleven: Taking the Time to Slow Down
Chapter Twelve: Rock What You've Got
Danica Patrick Career Highlights
Danica Patrick Individual Professional Race Results
Danica's Diary
Glossary
Acknowledgments