Danica Patrick vows to be the "honey badger" of NASCAR

By: Stephen Smith
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Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during Daytona Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

(Credit: Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)

(CBS/AP) It's official. Danica Patrick is a full-time NASCAR driver now and her Daytona 500 debut is just six weeks away.

So what's her approach? Apparently to be like a certain carnivorous mammal that became an Internet sensation in 2011.

"The honey badger, he takes what he wants," Patrick said on Thursday. "And that's how I'm going to be this year, like a honey badger."

Patrick was referencing the popular YouTube video about a honey badger and its lack of regard for others as the approach she plans to take on the track this season. Patrick raced clean for most of the past two years, but tended not to push back when shoved on the track.

Of course, the mammal moniker has already been taken in the sports world. LSU's All-American cornerback and Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu was crowned the "Honey Badger" for his fearless play.

Patrick plans to emulate that gridiron fearlessness on the Daytona track. And she doesn't seem nervous about her lack of NASCAR experience.

"Obviously it's the biggest race of the year, I'd really like to run well and I don't just want to be here," she said. "I want to run well."

Like a honey badger.

Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com

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by Irishduds2 January 26, 2012 12:57 AM EST: Good luck, Danica. I look forward to seeing you on Victory Lane someday.; Reply to this comment


by HRPuffinstuff January 25, 2012 12:29 PM EST: Honey badger? Excuuuze me, I gotta go puke.; Reply to this comment


by dadrees-2009 January 19, 2012 2:10 AM EST: Do stomp their and pouttoo?
The good old boys of nascar won't put up with her nonsense the way the indy car drivers hsd to.
nascar doesn't need a sexy little barmaid type to sell itself.; Reply to this comment


by GoUnion86 January 15, 2012 5:56 PM EST: Honey beaver.; Reply to this comment


by ralphing January 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST: When this fails I'll be watching for her on the female wrestling circuit, or celebrity boxing.; Reply to this comment