At Road America, the first Nationwide road course race of the season, Danica Patrick was in fourth on the final lap before getting spun into the gravel trap by Jacques Villeneuve. At Watkins Glen on Saturday, contact was the main storyline for Patrick once again. Except this time, it was on the first lap rather than the last one. And not only was it on the first lap, it was on the first turn.
[Related: Carl Edwards wins Nationwide race in first start this year]
As the field went into Turn 1 after taking the green flag, Ryan Truex got loose and slid into the grass on the inside of the downhill right-hander. As he attempted to gather the car up, he slid back onto the track, right into the path of Patrick and the rest of the field. And that was that for Patrick's chances. The damage to her front fender and radiator forced her to take the car to the garage. She finished dead last at 43rd.
It was Patrick's sixth DNF� (did not finish) in 21 starts this season. She has one top-10 finish.
As quoted in USA Today, "I wish I would have done it differently," said Patrick. "But that's the way accidents happen.
"It's unfortunate, because we really felt like we could have a strong finish... I just feel so bad," Patrick continued. "I wish it would've gone differently."
Carl Edwards ended up winning the race.
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