Say what you will about Danica Patrick -- and I certainly have -- but you have to give her this: Danica has identified her "brand" and works steadily toward building it.
Her combination of sexuality and speed isn't for everyone, but Danica doesn't seem to lose much sleep over negative opinions. There's certainly no denying Brand Danica has made her -- and the Indy Racing League -- tons of cash.
Check below for a recap of Danica's Bunnies and Rainbows answer, what it will take for her be P1 on lap 200 of the Indy 500, her advice to kids, what it's like have middle-aged men ask her to sign their body parts, what she thinks of bloggers and the first word that popped into her head when she crossed the finish line at Motegi last year.
Super huge props to AGR PR Czarina Haley Moore for arranging this teleconference/email Q&A and to Danica for sparing some time for the blogosphere.
pressdog: Knowing you won’t give all your strategy away, give us your game plan for the Indy 500. What do you have to do to sip the milk?
Danica: (Note: this is Danica's answer to a similar question asked by Versus.com's Bruce Martin during a teleconference pre-pole day.) I think that it would be the easiest to start in the front and just stay there. I think that we're going to obviously work hard to qualify well. I think it's a matter of, in the past the qualifying's been reasonably good, but it's a matter of staying there. I think that's going to be the real focus, is just to not drop back and to not lose positions on the track on starts or restarts, to stay on top of the car throughout the race and keep up with the way that the track is changing, and then to have really clean pit stops.
I think that's going to have to be a really, really big focus for me, getting in and out of the pits and getting in and out of the box at full speed all the time. If we do those things well, I hope we can qualify well and then I believe that we can stay there. Then it will be a shootout in the end. There's no doubt that you do have to have a fast car to win the Indy 500, because it usually comes to that last sort of 20 laps or five-lap shootout where it's all about speed.
pressdog: I wanted to ask you about what I call the kinder, gentler Danica Patrick.
Danica: Yes (laughter) …
pressdog: You told VERSUS before the first race you were trying not to be mad all weekend, then when (Raphael) Matos took you into the boards at St. Petersburg, you didn't smack him like we thought you might. Where is that all coming from?
Danica: Is it OK, do you think? Do you think this is OK that I'm a little bit more calm?
pressdog: Yeah, it seems to be working for you. I was just wondering... .
Danica: I hope I'm not boring anybody (laughter). I've learned from the past. Look, the emotional Danica is still there, but there's a time and a place. The time and place is not every weekend. So it's just easier. I think I always felt in the past like I had to prove to people that I cared and that I wasn't happy being fifth or 12th or something by being mad. It just doesn't really pay off, and it turns people off. It's a lot easier and a lot more fun to be relaxed. It's all bunnies and rainbows around here (laughter).
pressdog: You have a lot of fans obviously, and there are a lot of younger fans, especially girls. Do you think having all those fans affects what you do and some of your decisions? Are you thinking, 'What are my fans going to think about that?'
Danica: I don't think in the moment I think about them. I have been lucky enough to be myself and be just really true to my character and personality the whole time. But I'd say in the decision-making process when it comes to doing articles or interviews or photo shoots or anything, I do think about what's good and what's bad and what's right and what's wrong, kind of just where I want to take my brand and what direction I want to go with it.
I always do the things that I really want to do and have fun with. But if I'm on the fence about it, or if it's really not going to be good for image, then we just don't do them. I don't take for granted that little kids follow me and that I have a following from them, and I respect that. I want to do a good job for them, and part of that is being a good role model.
pressdog: What do you think is the most misunderstood/unappreciated part of Danica?
Danica: That I’m mean and not nice. I’m just really focused when I’m at work and I know that is not always the right answer but I’m not being paid to race mediocre. I go into every race with the drive to win.
pressdog: I’ve been critical of you on my site (pressdog.com), but I’ve also given you credit for being the same Danica year in and year out. How have you been able to remain the same Danica as your celebrity grew and more expectations have been heaped on you?
Danica: I surround myself with people who keep me in the moment and allow me to be myself.
pressdog: I’ve also given you credit for being a shrewd businessperson. Where does that come from?
Danica: My parents for sure. But the business side is part of my job. I’m running my own business each day -- and I think I have a pretty good common sense with the business side.
pressdog: You’ve talked about building your brand (see shrewd businessperson comment above). Is Danica the brand different from Danica the person? How are the two similar and/or different?
Danica: I think they are the same –- at least I hope they are!
pressdog: You seem to make your own decisions, do what you want to do and not get bunched up about what other people think. Does that come naturally or did you have to sort of build up a thick skin over the years?
Danica: I think it comes naturally.
pressdog: Similar to the above question, are you naturally like Britney and a “put on a show kind of girl” or is being in the spotlight and being interviewed and having middle-aged adult males get your autograph tattooed on their person something you’ve had to adjust to?
Danica: I try and take it with a grain of salt. I try and remember that the fans are just trying to relate to you. I’m just a normal person doing an not-so-normal job that is in the limelight.
pressdog: Do you ever get to a point where all the swirl and attention and expectations are too much and you just have to withdrawal and regenerate for a while? If so, what do you do (to regenerate)?
Danica: I always try and take time to get away a relax. I love to travel, spend time with my friends and family – but I don’t need days and days to regroup – I like staying busy!
pressdog: You’ve said growing up you would drive cars at age 10 or whatever, drive the lawn mower in high gear, etc. Was there some event that switched that need for speed on (did your dad take you for a 116-mph ride for example) or were you just born with it?
Danica: I never had the “need for speed” per say, but I had the need to do well!
pressdog: Is practice and testing something you enjoy or are you like an athlete who is more about the game than the practice?
Danica: Practice makes perfect in my option. Practice is part of the process!
pressdog: When kids, especially little girls, say they want to be just like you when they grow up, what do you tell them? When they ask for advice on how to be the next Danica what do you say?
Danica: I get asked this question often –- and I always say to kids –- find something that you are passionate about, something you love, and go for it. Dream big!
pressdog: First thought when you crossed the finish line P1 at Motegi?
Danica: Finally!
pressdog: What’s your take on bloggers? Are we a stain on humanity, really cool or somewhere in between? Are you even aware of pressdog.com? (Fee shot!)
Danica: I feel that blogging is a place where everyday people can express their views -- and yes, of course I have heard of pressdog!
pressdog: What’s the most frequent question you get from fans?
Danica: “What is it like to be famous?” and “Will you sign this?”
pressdog: Who were your racing heroes growing up?
Danica: Honestly, my mom and dad have always been my role models –- and always will be!
Next up: Mr. Dog interviews President Obama, Bigfoot & Bob Dylan - together!! - for no other reason than boredom. And because he can.
The blogoshpere is your oyster, my friend. Well done.
(*PROGRAMING NOTE* Please tune into the Silent Pagoda later today for my groundbreaking interview with Stanton Barrett's personal trainer ... or more technically, a guy who KNOWS his personal trainer.
As you were.)
Posted by: Roy Hobbson | May 14, 2009 at 09:52 AM
SCORE! Well done, pdog!
Posted by: Bash | May 14, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Man you're on a roll! Great stuff!
Posted by: Pat W | May 14, 2009 at 04:34 PM
"Honestly, my mom and dad have always been my role models." Huh? Her role as celebrity/racer? Whanica's parents craved limelight, developed their own celebrity brands and posed in costumes for men's magazines?
Posted by: Brian | May 15, 2009 at 12:09 PM