Chicago and Rockford.....in the national media

What can Skyscrapercity learn from the AP coverage of Rockford's Danica Patrick.....???? Posted on Sun, May. 29, 2005 In Danica's hometown, pride in Illinoisan's strong Indy finish Associated Press CHICAGO - People across Illinois hailed the strong showing of Roscoe native Danica Patrick in Sunday's Indianapolis 500, saying her performance proved she'll be a force to be reckoned with in auto racing. "We're very, very, very happy," said Linda Oldenburg, a bartender at the Whiffletree Tavern in Roscoe, a village of about 6,200 people in northern Illinois. "We hoped she would win first, but we're happy with fourth." Patrick's finish was the best showing for a woman in Indianapolis 500 history. She became the first woman to lead a lap in the 89-year history of the race, but Englishman Dan Wheldon took the checkered flag after a duel with Patrick late in the contest. Roscoe residents packed into the Whiffletree and other local bars and cheered as Patrick pulled into first place. At Roscoe's Croc's Pub, there was still a buzz in the air hours after the race ended, manager Steve Lyons said. "She will eventually win the big one, the Indy," he said. "This is a foretelling of what's to come. She is not just a flash in the pan." Some residents, including Croc Pub owner Steve Quies, made the five-hour drive to th e Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch Sunday's race, Lyons said. Signs saying "Go Danica!" mixed with the U.S. flags lining streets for Memorial Day. And pride in Patric extended to some menus. At Meg's Daily Grind, you can order a "Danica's Lucky Charm" - a type of latte with vanilla and creme de menthe. The owners bought the place three years ago from Danica's parents, T.J. and Bev Patrick, who are daily customers. Patrick started racing go-karts at Sugar River Raceway in Brodhead, Wis., about 30 miles away from Roscoe. When she was 16, Patrick's parents bought her a Mustang, and she proceeded to wear out the brakes and tires every few thousand miles. Patrick's Illinois fans weren't limited to her hometown. Several hundred people crowded around large-screen TVs at the ESPN Zone in downtown Chicago Sunday to watch the race. Bar employee Brian Bauer said the crowd overwhelmingly backed Patrick and a roar went up when she briefly grabbed the lead. "There was cheering for the five straight laps she was in first place," he said. "When she dropped back, it got quiet. There was definitely not a celebration for Wheldon.">