DANICA PATRICK’s 2008 Pit Incident Gets Teammate Defense from Marco Andretti

July 23, 2025

• DANICA PATRICK made history as the first woman to win an IndyCar race at Motegi in 2008, but weeks later found herself at the center of controversy after accidentally striking pit crew member Charles Buckman during Indy 500 practice, leaving him with a concussion and facial lacerations.
• Marco Andretti immediately stepped up to defend his teammate, emphasizing that the crowded pit lane conditions made the accident unavoidable and explicitly stating “it’s not Danica’s fault.” His public support highlighted how allies in the paddock recognized the dangerous realities of pit lane operations rather than scapegoating the female driver.
• The incident seemed to carry forward bad luck for PATRICK, as she was later struck by Ryan Briscoe in the pit lane during the actual 2008 Indy 500 race, ending her day prematurely. Both PATRICK and Andretti expressed genuine concern for Buckman’s recovery, showing the human side behind the high-stakes racing environment.

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