SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Danica Patrick just can't win.

Maligned by many because of a winless streak, Patrick finally put that to rest after becoming the first female driver to win a closed-course race in a major series on Sunday, April 20, by taking the IndyCar's Japan 300.

But online critics were out in full force to discredit her historic victory: She won because of fuel strategy, not driving talent; runner-up Helio Castroneves let her go by late in the race; she led only three laps; it took her 50 tries to get it.

Much like Patrick's publicized nonwin streak, give it a rest. Give Patrick her due. She's earned it.

Is she overhyped? Yes. But that's not entirely her fault.

I've often thought the worst thing Patrick could have done was lead the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie back in 2005. She already had the talent, the equipment and the looks to be a star. Leading one of the greatest events in racing in just her fifth race, though, skyrocketed expectations.

Now she can finally shed that label of being racing's version of Anna Kournikova.

My only wish — besides the win coming sooner, for her sake — was that it would have happened in the United States. It seems a bit ironic that Patrick's coming-out party in 2005 came in one of racing's greatest events, and right next door in Indiana. Racing overseas in Japan, her much-anticipated first win was seen by few in this country.

But now that she finally has that much-deserved No. 1, I have to wonder: When will No. 2 follow?

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