Sheer driving ability isn't the determining factor that decides whether a driver will get a seat in that series, Rob. It hasn't been that way for a long time. If it were, we would be watching Eric Gordon, Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, Levi Jones, Dave Steele, etc, etc, as perennial Indy 500 qualifiers. Instead, in many cases, the biggest reason a driver has gotten his shot at the World's greatest race, is because he brought a boat load of money to the track with him. And, IMO, that's no better or no worse than Patrick's circumstance. Probably worse, because none of the buy-a-ride guys are getting the IRL free publicity, in venues like the Super Bowl and the SI Swimsuit Issue. And for a sport that's fallen off of the radar screen of popular American culture (other than the big race), it can use all it can get. It is what it is and in the end, they use her just as much, if not more, than she uses them. And to her credit, she's not the worst driver in the series. Just not one of the best.


Jerry