Wheldon Says Autograph Boycott Was Team Co-Owners’ Decision

Danica (foreground) Speaking With Tony Kanaan (r) And Others Before Sunday’s Race

IRL driver Dan Wheldon — one of four Andretti Green Racing (AGR) drivers who boycotted a mandatory autograph session in Milwaukee last Saturday because organizers set up a separate line for Danica Patrick — said that all four of the drivers will participate in this Friday’s session prior to Sunday’s race at Michigan Int’l Speedway, according to Graves & Marshak of USA TODAY. Wheldon said the decision to boycott last week “was made by AGR co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree.” AGR spokesperson Al Larsen confirmed the drivers “did not make that call.” Larsen: “The misconception is that we have a problem with Danica Patrick, and it’s not about Danica” (USA TODAY, 7/27). In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz reports media on an IRL teleconference yesterday were told that questions “about the boycott were off limits –- a decision that came from AGR, not the league.” When asked if the drivers plan to attend this week’s autograph session, Wheldon replied, “That was a nice question, a good way to get around it.” Wheldon then said that he “would do whatever his bosses told him to do” (INDY STAR, 7/27).

FINDING FAULT: ESPN.com’s John Oreovicz wrote that Rahal Letterman Racing and the IRL are not “responsible for the fact that the demand for Danica’s autograph is greater than it is for the series’ other drivers. ... The PR flacks haven’t had to pitch Danica as a story since she started running up front at Indy during the month of May.” Oreovicz added, “In no other sport do fans get such open access to the performing athletes. IndyCar (and the Champ Car World Series) offer spectators the opportunity to meet and greet all of their heroes at every venue, something you won’t find in baseball, football or basketball –- or NASCAR” (ESPN.com, 7/26). But in Milwaukee, Dave Kallmann writes AGR “apparently was concerned that the [IRL] is not doing enough to turn Patrick’s new fans into fans of the sport” (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/27).

GUIDE LINES: Patrick is featured in an interview in the July 31 issue of TV Guide. She will appear as the main cover image in some parts of the country and on the upper right corner of an alternate cover (IRL).