Danica Patrick Racing News Highlights

Danica Patrick continues to heat up the track and attrack a large following of fans eager to see her take the checkered flag during her rookie season in the Indy Racing League (IRL).

On Sunday, Patrick had racing fans on their feet once again.

Patrick, the only female driver in the Indy Racing League, finished eighth in Sunday's Honda Indy 225 at Pike Peak International Raceway. For her growing list of fans, however, the finish mattered little.

Forty minutes after the race ended, a crowd of at least 250 gathered around Patrick's trailer. Ropes marked the barrier between fans and Patrick, a 23-year-old IndyCar rookie, as she signed autographs. Young girls, unfortunate enough to get close to the rope, climbed atop the shoulders of their fathers, straining for a better glimpse of motorsports' next rock star.

There were even cheers during Sunday's race when Patrick passed another driver, which is amazing - the cheers, that is - given that Patrick never made a pass to take the lead.

Get all of the highlights of the 2005 season for Danica Patrick at FreshDames.com.