Danica Patrick brushes off Richard Petty jab, says she gives her all every race
DAYTONA - Danica Patrick shook off comments by Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty earlier this week questioning her abilities saying 'everybody is entitled to their own opinion.'
Patrick was at Daytona International Speedway Thursday for NASCAR's annual media event kicking of preparations for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23.
'People have said things in the past and they're going to say things in the future,' Patrick said. 'I still say the same thing that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.'
Petty, 76, said in an interview Sunday when asked if Patrick would ever win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
'If everybody else stayed home,' said Petty, a NASCAR legend. He added Patrick's presence is still good for the sport.
When asked about those comments, Patrick said, 'People are going to judge what he said whether they judge it well or not and I'm just not going to.
'You can't go any harder in the car. You are doing everything that you can and maybe subconsciously there is some motivation, but I can't tell.
'I'm giving it my all every single time I'm in the car whether I'm making a simple qualifying run or whether I'm in the race.'
Petty's comments, as expected, were a hot topic of discussion Thursday.
'I think you have to respect the King for who he is and what he's done for the sports and he has the right to an opinion like everyone else and he makes some pretty strong points when you read the transcript,' fellow NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said. 'I think it's a long ways to go out there and say someone will never win a race.'
'I wouldn't want to have my name behind that comment.'
For Patrick, who said she hasn't spoken with the Petty since his comments, the other thing that matters is those closest to her.
'The people who matter the most to me are my team, my sponsors and those little 3-year-old kids that run up to you and want a big hug and say they want to grow up to be like you.
'That's the stuff I really focus on.'
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