Gentle(wo)men, start your engines

Danica Patrick placed sixth in her NASCAR debut. ARCA veteran Bobby Gerhart won the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, but everyone was watching Danica Patrick’s stock car debut.

Patrick experienced the full throttle that is NASCAR racing — sliding uncontrollably into the grass in the front-stretch on Lap 54 following a nudge from Nelson Piquet Jr. before gathering herself back up for the finish. Patrick restarted 24th after her crew made repairs to the No. 7 Chevrolet. In the final 32 laps, Danica was able to pick off cars and managed to climb as high as fifth-place before settling into sixth-place. “That was fun,” Patrick exclaimed over the radio. “This thing will not be pretty when it comes in from the track, but whatever.” "It was a lot of fun," Patrick said. "I bumped from the side. I bumped from the front. I got bumped from the back. I learned a lot, and I had so much fun in a race car today. So I can't wait to do it again." For Patrick, it proved to be a experience. NASCAR fans can't wait to see more of her this season. The Nationwide Series and JR Motorsports (owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) will be extremely glad to have Danica racing.