Wheldon Says Autograph Boycott Was Team Co-Owners’ Decision
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Danica (foreground) Speaking With Tony
Kanaan (r) And Others Before Sunday’s Race
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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).
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