May 18th, 2011 | 
Author: There are a lot of questions surrounding Danica Patrick and one of the big ones is Danica Patrick legit or a novelty? This argument starts with her success, or lack of success in the IndyCar Series. In 2005 she was named Rookie of the Year for her finish in the Indianapolis 500 and overall Rookie of the Year for the 2005 IndyCar Series. With a promising start to career like this it would seem that she was a legit driver.
Unfortunately for Danica success has not continued throughout her entire career. Her first and only win happened in 2008 in the Indy Japan 300. This did make her the first female winner of an IndyCar race. Her best finish in the king of races, the Indianapolis 500, was 3rd in 2009. In 2010 she did join the NASCAR Nationwide Series. She did finish 4th in an NASCAR Nationwide Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
While Danica Patrick has certainly done some great things racing and set some personal bests for women, she lacks that career defining great win and consistency. People that see her as a novelty only have to mention her modeling and acting career which takes up much of her time.