The Danica Patrick Conspiracy

On Wind Tunnel on Speed a few weeks ago, Dave Despin implied a potential oval championship in addition to the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.  He mentioned that he was betting that this was a Danica Patrick conspiracy as they want their top driver to be in the game.  What if this is true? 

Statistically, Patricks average finish proves that she runs better on the ovals.  She has an average finish of 12.3 and two top-fives in the IZOD’s 16 road course starts and her finish is even higher on the ovals at 8.8 on short tracks, intermediates of 9.4, and super speedways of 11.9.

However, most IndyCar drivers are better than her. And I do not recommend selecting her for your Indy 500 betting pick.

Winner of the championships in both 2007 and 2009, Dario Franchitti beats her in each category with average finishes of 3.1 on short tracks, 7.6 on intermediates, 9.7 on super speedways and an overall average road course finish of 12. 

The 2003 and 2008 champion, Scott Dixon’s rank is higher than that of Patrick’s as well with short tracks of 6.7, intermediates of seventh, 9.4 on the super speedways and an average finish of 4.1.

The 2004 champion, Tony Kanaan has better numbers as well with short tracks of 10.6, intermediates of 5.9, super speedways of 9.2 and a 7.1 average finish. 

The Rookie of the Year in 2007, Ryan Hunter-Reay even has a road course average finish of 12.3.  He also maintains a 14.5 short track finish, 13.2 intermediate, and a 14.7 super speedway finish.

The current leader of the point standings is Will Power.  He has an average finish of 17 on the short tracks, 15.8 on the intermediates, 9 on the super speedways, and an overall finish of 11.8. 

Third in standings is Helio Castroneves who has average finishes of 8.4 on the short tracks, 6.1 on intermediates, 8.1 on the super speedways and an average finish overall of 7.9.

Considering these statistics, Patrick actually doesn’t hold top numbers in any of the categories that the average finishes are lumped into although she does beat out both Will Power and Ryan Hunter-Reay on short tracks and intermediates.  This could still change however considering how well those two run this year. 

In that case, there isn’t much of a risk of a conspiracy if that in fact pans out and it is more likely that Despain is attempting to rile up some controversy and get people talking.  Mission accomplished!