Rival drivers come to Patrick's defence

Race car driver Danica Patrick arrives to participate in the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, April 1, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Danica Patrick shrugged off derisive remarks from NASCAR legend Richard "The King" Petty about her racing skills, and rival drivers came to her defence at Thursday's Media Day for the Daytona 500.

Last year, when Danica Patrick became the first woman to win the pole position for the Daytona 500, NASCAR's season opening and most storied race, it promised to be the dawning of a new era.