Half of this headline is a “well, duh” facepalm, the other half…

…oh, hell, I dunno. I can’t get past the first half. Here it is:

Danica Patrick still hot, Dale Earnhardt Jr. slipping in popularity

“Danica still hot.” In other news, sky still blue, and water still wet.

The story is actually about a poll that ranks athletes’ popularity. Danica was third among female athletes for the third year in a row, after coming in first in 2008. Serena and Venus Williams were one and two.

Patrick, the only female driver to win a IndyCar Series race, was fifth in the poll in 2006, second in 2007 and first in 2008. She has ranked third the last three years.

Top five, six years in a row. Not bad. Oh, and yes, Danica…

…you’re welcome.

By the way, Danica did make an appearance at the ESPYs yesterday:

She also helped present the Best Team award with…Justin Bieber. So you can see why her popularity is slipping among sports fans.