Danica Patrick. Driving Fast and Taking Names.

I know I’m from the South, and usually that means I would know every Nascar Driver’s name, car # and who their sponsors are, but honestly, I can’t say that I have ever actually watched a full race from start to finish. I just don’t really enjoy watching things or cars or people going round and round in circles. That being said, I do appreciate the sport- its roots are buried in the Appalachian mountains, as are mine, and well, I like to go fast too. Plus watching her lead her first lap was so exciting, I was clapping the whole time.

However, this past weekend gave me a totally new and (shocking to many people) reason to watch Nascar-a woman. Danica Patrick made history on a couple different levels.
1- She became the first woman to win a pole in the Sprint Cup Series, placing her in the top starting spot in the Daytona 500.
2- She became the first woman to lead a lap (in above video) in the 500. She actually went on to lead the race twice for 5 laps.
3- Driving in the top 10 all day, she finished 8th, which while not her goal, is still the best a woman has finished in the Daytona 500, and pretty damn impressive too.

Danica Patrick and I share a special bond, although she doesn’t know it. It’s the bond that is created when having an unusual first name, and then someone famous having that same name. I have to admit this relationship she doesn’t actually know about has really made me not like her at times. When I was waiting tables, I can’t even count the number of people that asked me for her stats, or asked me if I had heard how she did in (fill in the blank) race. I’ve even had people ask-wait for it- if I’m RELATED to her! My only response to that is “yes, actually we’re cousins on the Danica side of the family”. But honestly, I am proud to share a first name with such a badass woman, who not only lives in a dudes world, but drives in it, and does it well.

Congratulations on making history Danica. You’ve given me a reason to watch Nascar, and you inspire women everywhere by doing it.

See you at the family reunion!

Lindsey Vonn Wants to Ski with the Boys

Lindsey Vonn wins her 51st World Cup Downhill

The name Lindsey Vonn to any woman in the world-wide ski community means strength, determination and badass super woman. She has won four overall World Cup championships as of this year, not to mention a gold medal in the 2010 winter olympics in Vancouver. As far as World Cup victories, she is only nine short of breaking Austria’s Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record of 62 victories.

And now, Ms. Vonn would like a chance to race against the best male ski racers in the world at the World Cup season’s opener in Lake Louise, Alberta. She has written a letter to the International Ski Federation (FIS) asking permission to break new ground by skiing in the November 24 downhill race. Now the United States Ski & Snowboard Association must file a formal request to the FIS. There are a few hurdles to consider as well. If the request is accepted, Vonn will miss the opportunity to pick up points at the competition in Aspen that same weekend. The women’s first speed races of the season are being held at Lake Louise the week after the men’s races, which could be in violation of the World Cup rule Article 14.2: ‘No training shall be allowed on World Cup racecourses during the last five days prior to first training run or competition.’ According to the New York Times, Vonn has said she would be willing to forgo two of the practice runs before the women’s race. She also said she would not race in the men’s downhill, if she is prohibited from racing in the women’s as well.

I want to know what you think. Is she taking away from or adding to the image of women’s ski racing? And what are your next steps to push yourself to your personal next level? Follow Lindsey on Twitter @lindseyvonn  for updates on whether or not she gets to race with the boys this November.