Danica Patrick's pole position, and her leading for five laps of this year's Daytona 500, will be the highlight of Sunday's race whenever it is discussed. (Reuters)
DAYTONA, FLA. - Jimmie Johnson may have won the 55th running of the Daytona 500 — his name is on the big trophy they give out at the end of the race — but the 2013 version of the Great American Race will be forever known as the one where the little lady led the field to the green flag.
Danica Patrick’s pole position, and her leading for five laps, will be the highlight of Sunday’s race whenever it is discussed.
It is just like when the late Dan Wheldon had to play second fiddle to Patrick in 2005 when he won the Indianapolis 500 but was almost forgotten in the hype that surrounded her becoming the first woman to lead a lap at the famed brickyard.
This, however, does not diminish what Patrick accomplished at Daytona.
She is deserving of all the attention, much to the chagrin of those who still resent her celebrity status.
