Coming off last month's impressive debut in Toyota Atlantic, Danica Patrick returns to the place where she first opened people's eyes last year -- Long Beach.
Even though Patrick had proven herself a worthy foe in the European Formula Ford series before coming back to the States in 2001, she still had pretty much dropped off the radar.
But her invitation to compete in the annual Toyota Pro Celebrity Race turned out to be the perfect forum to display her talents and re-introduce herself to the American motorsports media.
She spanked four-time Trans Am champion Tommy Kendall and Indy Racing League driver Sarah Fisher to win the Pro Division in the 12-lap sedan battle and some newfound respect.
"Any time you can beat somebody as good as Tommy it's a great feeling but the best thing about that race, more than anything, was that it got me recognition," said Patrick, who went to Europe when she was 16 years old and competed for four seasons before returning home.
"People aren't necessarily sold on you because you win a celebrity race but I showed I could handle pressure with Tommy pushing me all race. And I think it opened everyone's eyes because I had been gone for so long."
Following her success at Long Beach, the tough-minded 21-year-old native of Roscoe, Ill. tested a Busch stock car, a Ford Focus midget and Atlantic while running selected Barber Dodge events for Bobby Rahal.
Moving up to the always-competitive Atlantic series is a pretty big step from Barber Dodge but Patrick has already made car owner Rahal proud.
"Danica did a super job at Monterrey but it didn't surprise me because she is so intense," said the three-time CART champion. "Racing against a bunch of guys with a lot more experience and she makes the podium, plus sets the second fastest lap of the race.
"She's got all the intangibles you can't teach a race driver."
Patrick downplays the fact she was the first female in the 30-year history of Atlantics to make the podium.
"Sure it was good, especially for my team, and I think it's a reflection of of how good Team Rahal is. I didn't have a good enough car to win or get second because my car really had a bad understeer.
"Considering it was only my sixth race ever in a car with wings and the two guys ahead of me are in their third year in Atlantics, I'm pretty happy."
The 5-1, 100-pounder claims adjusting to more horsepower and race car wasn't that daunting.
"Testing all those cars helped me and the Atlantic car has a ton of grip compared to a stock car so it was just a matter of getting acclimated," she continued. "If you give me 15 laps in any car I think I can get pretty comfortable.
"You know if you can drive, you can drive and it's just a matter of adjusting."
Her drive in Mexico was the perfect ammunition for everyone who criticized her sexy photo layout in this month's FHM magazine.
"First off, I didn't call FHM, they called me. Secondly, I'm still a girl and getting my hair and makeup done was a lot of fun. Most people were supportive but I can't worry about the ones who didn't like it.
"The only thing that really matters is what I can do in a race car."
So far, it would be hard to argue that Ms Patrick doesn't look as good behind the wheel as she does in FHM.
