Danica Patrick would be good for NASCAR
Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens has been covering NASCAR since 1991 and began covering the circuit full time in 1993. He has been with Street & Smith's Sports Group since 1998.
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.
