Q&A: Danica Patrick
Patrick finished a more-than-respectable fourth at this year's Indianapolis 500 and is the first woman to ever lead the pack during the race. She spoke to NEWSWEEK's Nicki Gostin.
Are you the Gloria Steinem of racing?
The what? I don't even know who that is. Is that bad? No, no. She's a famous feminist.
I'm sure that to some people I'm something like that. I'm sure everybody has their opinion about what I am.
Do you think you've gotten extra attention because you're cute?
Probably a little bit. It's just like when you watch a reality show and there's a cute girl on and she's kicking butt, you're like, "Go girl!" I think it appeals to people. It shows that you're not just using your looks to do simple, mindless things.
When are you going to be on the Wheaties box?
You know what? I always said that if that's the one thing I get, the Wheaties box, I will pee in my pants. I'm serious.
So let's send a shout-out to the Wheaties people and get you a box.
Yeah!
Is it hard for you not to speed when you're driving a regular car?
It's nearly impossible. I have a lead foot and road rage. That doesn't work well together.
Have you gotten any speeding tickets?
Oh, yeah. I've been pulled over plenty of times.
What's the most you've gone over the limit?
I've probably done 130 on the street, but that was once, when I was 16.
David Letterman is a co-owner of your car. Do you watch the "Late Show" every night?
Oh, goodness no. I can't stay up that late. I watch when there are good guests on.
Would you go--could you go--on "The Tonight Show?"
Probably not as long as Dave is my boss. It would have to be Dave's decision.
Have Jay Leno's people called you about appearing?
Yeah. We said, "Thank you very much, but not now."
Ee-eew, That Is So Not Cool
Even starlets deserve sympathy on occasion, so congrats, Lindsay Lohan: you've finally got ours. Last week the actress's Mercedes was rammed--intentionally, police believe--by a van driven by paparazzo Galo Ramirez, 24. (She was unhurt.) He was chasing her, she tried to hail a cop, so, allegedly, he smashed into her car to stop her. This, go figure, only attracted the attention of the police. And how sweet is this? Someone else got the coveted snapshot.
--Devin Gordon
Meditate on This
This October, actor and Buddhist Lama Steven Seagal is releasing an album, "Songs From The Crystal Cave." Five things you didn't know about his musical career:
He studied with Albert Collins and Lightnin' Hopkins.
His manager worked with Kiss.
"Crystal Cave" has a track with Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
"Steven Seagal" is referenced in rap lyrics by Eminem, Ja Rule and Busta Rhymes.
His CD first went out to the media without his name. Now there's a smart publicist.
STEWART BUILDS A DYNASTY
Rod Stewart is certainly prolific, and we're not talking about his records. Fiancee Penny Lancaster is pregnant and due in December. This will be Stewart's seventh kid -- not bad for a guy pushing 60. Stewart's appeal seems to bridge generations; Lancaster, 34, is seven years younger than his oldest daughter. Of course Stewart is still married to Rachel Hunter; he plans to marry Lancaster next year, which should work out nicely. After all, what gal wants to go to the altar in a maternity dress?
--Marc Peyser