DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - IndyCar driver Danica Patrick survived a spinout to finish sixth in her stock car debut at Daytona International Speedway Saturday.
"That was fun," Patrick, the only woman to win an IndyCar race, told reporters after the 80-lap ARCA race on the high-banked speedway.
"I was going side-by-side with people. My car doesn't look very pretty," she said of the dents and scrapes, "but that was fun."
Former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and Patrick's car bumped on lap 54, sending her spinning in the grass.
"The guy came down over the front of me," said Patrick, who did not crash and resumed racing in the regional stock car series that uses NASCAR-type cars.
"I thought: 'Shoot, we're not out of it,'" she said. "I was pretty excited to go from last."
American Bobby Gerhart won the race with Piquet Jr. 27th.
Patrick, who plans to run a partial schedule on NASCAR's second tier series this year, could make her debut there next week. A decision is expected Monday.
Story Copyright 2010, Reuters
Photo Copyright 2010, Getty Images
Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey's size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday.
Media reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return to action for the world number one.
Carl Edwards avoided suspension but received a three-race probation period from NASCAR after intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski in last Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500.
The Philadelphia Eagles will pick up Michael Vick's roster bonus this week, giving the team time to decide whether to keep the quarterback or trade him.
Police expect to interview Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the next few days over a sexual assault allegation made by a Georgia woman.
Lance Armstrong said he will take on the Tour de France this year as a better cyclist but is unsure if he can close the gap on reigning champion Alberto Contador.
Upper Deck will pay the MLB Properties a "substantial" sum to resolve a lawsuit accusing the baseball card maker of using the sport's logos without permission.
