TALLADEGA, Ala. - Danica Patrick knows the importance of having the right equipment and aiming for the openings, however slender.

Patrick scored on her first try during a "Shoot the Puck" promotion at intermission of Tuesday night's first-round playoff game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.

She said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway that she wisely switched from high heels to flats for her trip onto the ice. Her other three shots went wide.

Patrick is hoping for more consistency in Sunday's Aaron's 499.

It's the first restrictor plate race since she became the first woman to win a pole and lead green-flag laps at the Daytona 500. She says that eighth-place finish might have hiked expectations for Talladega but that winning on the big speedways requires "a whole lot of luck."

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