I love a girl with a temper.

Danica Patrick is getting a reputation: she’s kind of a hothead.

First, there was “last year’s meltdown at the Brickyard, where she stormed down pit lane in search of another driver until forced to veer off by security.” That’s right, people, don’t cut Danica off.

There’s also “some of her other dustups — poking Jaques Lazier in the forehead at Fontana in 2005, grabbing Dan Wheldon’s arm and pushing him at Milwaukee in 2007, having it out verbally with Milka Duno (and taking a towel in the face for her trouble).”

Here’s video of that last one.

And now, just this week:

The latest incident happened Sunday in the Indy Racing League’s 2009 opener at St. Petersburg, Fla. Patrick and Raphael Matos (an IndyCar Series rookie, but at 27, the same age as Patrick, not an inexperienced driver) collided in a turn and wrecked.

Video replays seemed to support Patrick’s later contention that Matos, who was trying to pass in tight quarters, was to blame for the crash.

…According to The Associated Press report, Patrick “patted Matos on the helmet as if to say ‘Use your head.’ ” Then the two had “a lively discussion” while they waited for a ride back to pit lane.

Ooooh, she “tapped the Brazilian on his helmet.” That bitch.

Let me say for the record – and I mean this in the fairest, most objective, most impartial and unbiased way possible: Danica is right, and the rest of you are all pansies too scared to stand up to a 5’2 100 lb. part-time model. Seriously. Grow a pair.

So she’s got a temper (although that video of her argument with whatshername hardly shows it). You know what? If the pretty girl scares you, don’t bump into her on the track. For crying out loud, no wonder she’s “the IRL’s biggest and most controversial star.” The IRL’s got nobody else with the…let’s just say guts…to be big and controversial!