In a surprising turn of events, Lindsay Brewer, the 27-year-old IndyCar hopeful and social media influencer, has sparked a firestorm within the motorsport community with a bold statement aimed at racing legend Danica Patrick. Brewer, known for her rising career in the Indy NXT series and her massive online following, made the comment during a recent interview following a test session at Road America in Wisconsin. Her words have not only shocked fans but also reignited debates about the role of women in the male-dominated world of IndyCar racing.

Brewer, who has often cited Patrick as an inspiration, took an unexpected stance when asked about the challenges of being a female driver in IndyCar. “Danica had her time, and she did a lot for women in racing, but let’s be real—she also set us back in some ways,” Brewer said. “Her focus on glamour and media sometimes overshadowed her racing, and it made people question if women drivers are taken seriously. I’m here to prove we can be both fierce on the track and true to ourselves without needing the spotlight to validate us.” This statement, while acknowledging Patrick’s contributions, directly criticizes the way her career was perceived, suggesting it may have hindered progress for other women in the sport.

The IndyCar community erupted almost immediately. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions from fans and insiders alike. Some supported Brewer’s perspective, arguing that Patrick’s heavy marketing and modeling career often eclipsed her on-track achievements, which included a historic 2008 Indy Japan 300 win—the only IndyCar victory by a woman to date. Others, however, saw Brewer’s comment as a betrayal of a trailblazer who broke barriers for drivers like her. One X user wrote, “Lindsay wouldn’t even be in Indy NXT without Danica paving the way. This is disrespectful.” Another countered, “Brewer’s got a point. Danica’s image made it harder for women to be seen as serious competitors.”

Patrick, now 43 and a pundit for Sky Sports F1, has not yet responded directly to Brewer’s statement. However, her past comments suggest she might not take the criticism lightly. In a 2023 Reddit thread, some fans and insiders noted Patrick’s tendency to dismiss critiques of her legacy, with one user stating, “Her comments scream ‘I’m special, others cannot do what I have done.’” Patrick’s polarizing career—marked by both groundbreaking success and controversies, like her 2010 Indianapolis 500 qualifying backlash where she blamed her car and faced fan boos—continues to be a lightning rod in motorsport discussions.

Brewer’s statement also comes at a time when she’s under scrutiny herself. Despite her talent, her large social media presence—2.8 million Instagram followers—has led some to label her as more of an influencer than a serious driver. In a 2023 Daily Mail interview, Brewer addressed this, saying, “I will always have my hair bleached, I’ll have my fake nails, but yet I can still be a badass driver.” Her latest comment about Patrick seems to double down on this narrative, positioning herself as a new kind of female driver who wants to redefine what success looks like in IndyCar.

The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader issue of diversity in IndyCar. The sport remains overwhelmingly male and white, with women making up just 0.3% of Indy 500 starters historically. Brewer, alongside other female drivers like Katherine Legge, is part of a slow shift toward inclusivity. Yet, her words have sparked a debate about whether criticizing a pioneer like Patrick helps or hinders that progress.

As Brewer prepares for her next Indy NXT race, the motorsport world is watching closely. Will her statement galvanize a new generation of female drivers, or will it deepen divisions within the community? One thing is clear: Lindsay Brewer has ensured her name is on everyone’s lips, for better or worse, as she chases her dream of racing in the Indy 500.