Hard Turn
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Owens
Danica Patrick would be good for NASCAR
JR Motorsports has confirmed that it is interested in signing Danica Patrick for its Nationwide Series team and is working on a deal for the open-wheel star.
That’s a good move for both JR Motorsports and NASCAR.
Despite her mediocre record, Patrick has become a huge star in the motorsports world. She probably trails only Dale Earnhardt Jr. – likely her future boss – in terms of name recognition and endorsements. (Name another race-car driver who gets more commercial time than those two.)
She has had moderate success in the Indy Racing League, but has shown an interest in trying her hand at NASCAR. She deserves the opportunity.
A move to NASCAR, even if it is in a part-time Nationwide role to start with, could be a big boon for the sport.
NASCAR is in a bit of a lull right now, with TV ratings and attendance down and fans seemingly disgruntled with the new car, the competition on the track and the same drivers winning all the time.
Patrick could add some spice and pizzazz to the sport, attracting the attention of both male and female fans (for different reasons, of course).
There is no guarantee she will succeed. The odds, in fact, are stacked against her, but she would get a reasonable shot with JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports behind her.
If nothing else, she will make the Nationwide Series worth watching.
Right now, the Nationwide Series is the Kyle Busch-Carl Edwards show, with fellow Cup drivers Joey Logano and others winning occasionally.
Busch either wins or finishes second each week in a series thoroughly dominated by Cup drivers.
The arrival of Patrick, even in a part-time role, would give the series an intriguing subplot and make the races much more interesting. Even if she struggles and wrecks a bunch of race cars, that will stir up debate and make fans want to watch each week.
A subplot to that will be her adjustment and transition to stock cars and her progress toward making the leap to the Sprint Cup Series.
Whether she succeeds or not, Patrick will attract attention, exposure and intrigue.
And NASCAR can use all of that it can get.
Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens has been covering NASCAR since 1991 and began covering the circuit full time in 1993. He has been with NASCAR Scene since 1998.
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Comments
8 responses to "Danica Patrick would be good for NASCAR". Post a Comment.
tinynascarfan said:
Oct 9, 2009 at 1:37 PMshe would also set female stock car drivers back another 10 years, just like erin crocker did. and would make it all but impossible for another female to get a decent ride for at least 10 years, when she fails and she will fail! but dont let that worry nascar fans, more poeple will be watching her fail, for the first year or two then the ratings will nosedive worse than ever. and all this is a fact, just sit back and watch it happen.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 10, 2009 at 12:30 PMNo, she doesn't deserve the opportunity. She's a "star" only because of marketing - Danica Patrick the brand, not Danica Patrick the racer. She brings nothing of interest to anyplace she races.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportTheAntiBowtie said:
Oct 10, 2009 at 1:22 PMShe will be good for a laugh.!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHateda88 said:
Oct 13, 2009 at 11:39 PMWell, I've heard several versions of this story. First it was Jr Motorsports, now Mikey Waltrip and then yet another source says she already signed a contract with Indy people. Which is it?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 14, 2009 at 9:20 AMShe's signed with Andretti-Green Racing and reportedly they don't want her to race outside of Indycars, so a NASCAR deal is out.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportjimbennett said:
Oct 22, 2009 at 3:40 PMFemales(read minorities) are exactly what Nascar needs at this point,in this economy!Nascar desperately needs to expand the fan base if the sport is to keep thriving.As far as failure,how many minorities tried to enroll in college before someone finally made it?The sports world mirrors society......for people to suceed they must first be willing to fail.and try again.I don't know how many tracks have similar schedules to Kansas but Indy cars and Trucks run the same weekend here.......perfect opportunity....I'd love to see it....curious as to the reception.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportOSUSam said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 1:51 PMAMEN Jim. At least there is someone on this page with some sense. I love all these people who say she is an automatic failure before she ever gets fitted for a seat. For God's sake. Give her a chance. Is it jealousy or sexism? Sad.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 1:12 PMOSUSAM - it's that she does not deserve a chance. She's a failure as a racer. JIMBENNETT - the sport doesn't need to expand the fan base. It needs racing like at Talladega but at far more tracks - it needs more winning teams and more winning drivers.
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