Danica Crashes, Confronts Rookie Driver

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Danica Patrick's season got off to a tough start after she crashed out early in the season-opening Honda Grand Prix.

She was running ninth in the 22-car field on Sunday when rookie Raphael Matos tried to pass as the two went into one of the tightest turns on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit.

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Both cars crashed, with Patrick's Andretti Green Racing entry slamming hard, rear end first into a tire barrier.

As the uninjured drivers walked away, Patrick patted Matos on the helmet as if to say, "Use your head." The two then waited for a ride back to the pits, with a lively discussion taking place as Matos sat on a wall and Patrick stood in front of him.

Patrick, who has been known to blow up at other drivers in similar circumstances, was calm after she got back to the team's pit.

"It's not exactly the ideal spot to pass," she said. "We were going into the fast chicane there and there's no room, there's no room for two people. ... I was looking in my mirrors and I saw him. He just wasn't all the way up next to me."

Matos, making his IndyCar debut with the Luczo Dragon team, wasn't ready to take the blame.

Danica Patrick Photos

HOMESTEAD, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Danica Patrick drives the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series Spring Testing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway February 25, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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HOMESTEAD, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Danica Patrick sits aboard the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series Spring Testing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway February 25, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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HOMESTEAD, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, looks on during the IRL IndyCar Series Spring Testing on February 25, 2009 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images). *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage, right, teleconferences with IndySeries driver Danica Patrick during media day at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, February 25, 2009. (Ben Noey Jr./Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

MCT

HOMESTEAD, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series Spring Testing on February 24, 2009 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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"We just had a very unfortunate racing accident," the Brazilian said. "It shouldn't have happened. Danica made a big mistake passing a lapped car and I really had a good run on her. I was halfway up on her. I thought she'd give me enough room to pass, but she didn't."

Patrick, the only woman in the field, ended her day in 19th and Matos was 20th. Each completed just 31 of 100 laps.

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