(Photo courtesy of SI)

Danica Patrick picked up her first victory earlier this year, but she’s still fighting for respect on the track. Some groups consider her an IRL gimmick that’s using her femininity instead of her skills to advance. Fellow driver Scott Dixon says Danica Patrick is a menace on the track. Chief steward of the IRL, Brian Barnhart, said Danica’s reputation can be damaged by the other driver’s accusations. Read the full story

Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar race after taking the checkered flag at the Indy Japan 300. Patrick and her team used skill and strategy to overtake Helio Castroneves with two laps remaining, giving Danica her first victory in 50 attempts. She was in tears after the race, probably out of joy and relief. Read the full story

Men know not to mess with a woman’s hair but that doesn’t seem to apply in the IRL. Danica Patrick’s teammates at Andretti Green Racing have stated that they will cut off her hair when she wins her first race. DP’s not feeling that celebration:

“I don’t know. I really think I’m going to have to have someone intervene. I get two inches cut off, ever, and I’m hyperventilating. I’ve always had long hair as long as I’ve been on this earth. I don’t think it’s going to happen. I really don’t. But I’m going to run for my life, though. I know that much. I’m not going to open it up like wide open, take my helmet off in pit lane and be like ‘Hey, where are the guys?’ I might just leave it on for an hour, not until I can have someone restrain them and search their pockets.”

The obvious joke would be that Danica’s hair will grow to her feet before she has to pay up, but she’s been creeping towards her first victory. She’s had 13 starts and 9 top ten finishes this season. She’s in 7th place, 4 points ahead of Scott Sharp and 13 points behind Helio Castroneves, in the IndyCar standings. Winning a race is Patrick’s only challenge left.

 If Danica does win a race and ends up getting her hair cut, I wonder.. How low will the team take it? I’ll have to reconsider Danica’s Playboy shoot if her head gets shaved like Britney Spears.

Danica Patrick looks forward to first win but dreads teammates plans to give her a haircut. Courtesy of The Sporting News

6 Women from the sports world that Playboy should contact.

The female body is a beautiful object that should be held up and glorified. It could never receive enough praise. Amanda Beard recently joined the list of athletes to pose nude for Playboy, and hopefully more follow her. Here’s the women from the sports world that the magazine should be trying to land:

Anna Kournikova: She owes us. We supported her on her looks alone, and then we continued to support her when we knew she couldn’t play. She’s essentially the Russian, tennis playing, Paris Hilton.. Trust us Anna, the magazine is the classier route.

Serena and Venus Williams: I know what you’re thinking but no… Something along the lines of them getting undressed in the locker room, and then taking to the court to pose with the rackets or in the umpire’s chair. Now back to your idea…

Erin Andrews: A sexy, former cheerleader, that had the internet and college baseball teams goin nuts is a no brainer. She has the classic bunny look and Mike Gillespie Sr. says she’s a solid 9 1/2 binoculars in his book.

Danica Patrick: She’s cute, fiesty, and fast. I can see her on the cover unzipping her fire retardant jumpsuit and inside the mag rockin nothing but her helmet. I can also see her stomping around and then shoving the photographer if she doesn’t like the pictures.

Pam Oliver: The pic doesn’t do her justice, but I didn’t want to link to the you tube clip of her in dem jeans. If she ever poses for the magazine good luck getting a copy before Joe Buck buys them all.

So there’s no confusion about the way I want these pics to turn out, here’s KG and Steph:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDrqNQwIdRc]

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