SI Cover Continues Growth Of Danica Patrick's Profile
Andretti Green Racing (AGR) driver Danica Patrick is featured on the cover of this week's SI, providing "more proof of her higher profile since she became the first female winner in IndyCar history last month" by winning the IndyCar Japan 300, according to Cliff Brunt of the AP. Andretti Green Racing spokesperson Al Larsen said that the SI cover is "especially significant because it comes before" the May 25 Indianapolis 500. Larsen: "To land on the cover of SI in advance of the Indianapolis 500 pushes us into the mainstream sports scene." Larsen noted Patrick since the win has granted more than 200 interviews. AGR CMO John Lopes: "From a marketing standpoint, we've been getting calls from a lot of corporations, some of the biggest companies out there, wanting to be associated with our brand. ... To get her out there helps us tremendously from a marketing standpoint. It reinforces the fact that she transcends the sport. She's a pop-culture icon" (AP, 5/14). Patrick's online store, www.danicaracingstore.com, is selling two new items commemorating her victory in Japan: a $12 poster showing her with the race's trophy, and a $22 T-shirt with a "similar image" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 5/13).
COVER GIRL: SI’s Lars Anderson writes a victory by Patrick in the Indy 500 “would be one of the most significant events in the history of motor sports in this country.” The week following her victory in Japan, Patrick at Kansas Speedway “became the first driver in series history to sell six figures’ worth of merchandise in a weekend.” IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt: “Danica’s win was bigger than we even hoped. If she can win the 500, well, it’s hard to imagine just how large the impact would be” (SI, 4/19 issue).
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