JR Motorsports will wait until after ARCA race to decide if Danica Patrick runs Nationwide event at Daytona
By Bob Pockrass
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Danica Patrick at ARCA testing in Daytona Beach in December 2009.
LaDon George
NASCAR Illustrated
CONCORD, N.C. – JR Motorsports will field two cars in the season-opening Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway, and new driver Danica Patrick could be driving one of them.
Full-time driver Kelly Bires, meanwhile, might not be racing at Daytona.
Because of sponsorship, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the team’s No. 88 Hellmann’s car, which Bires is scheduled to drive for much of the season.
Patrick may drive the No. 7 car, team co-owner Kelley Earnhardt said Wednesday during the Charlotte Motor Speedway media tour.
Patrick and the team will not decide whether she will run the Feb. 13 Nationwide race until after she competes in the Feb. 7 Automobile Racing Club of America event. Bires or Mark Martin would likely drive the car if Patrick does not.
“The 7 car will run at Daytona, so we have to decide who runs in that car,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “We won’t make that decision until the Monday after the ARCA race. … The Nationwide Daytona race is basically a Cup race, and for someone like her, that might not be the best situation to put her in.”
Kelley Earnhardt said Patrick’s schedule has not been finalized and she has only committed to Auto Club Speedway in California and Las Vegas Motor Speedway as two of her 13 events this year.
Patrick’s No. 7 car will be locked in for the first five races as JR Motorsports has formed a partnership with CJM Racing, which ceased operations during the off-season. CJM Racing’s No. 11 points – that car finished 15th in the owner standings in 2009 – will be used by the No. 7.
“My expectations are for her to go out and run in the top 20,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “I don’t see any reason why [not]. We provide her a competitive car, she’s a capable driver, she’s done well at the test.
“The key will be her being around 42 other cars and how she’ll handle that. We’ll see.”
In addition to getting Patrick acclimated to her part-time Nationwide schedule, Kelley Earnhardt has to sell sponsorship to keep the No. 88 car on the track as that car is not fully sponsored for 2010.
“It’s been the most difficult thing I think I’ve ever been challenged to do is put sponsorship together right now,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “Even with leveraging Dale Jr. and his relationship with the team, companies are looking at the ways they’re spending money and they’re spending it differently.”
The one person sponsorship has been found for is Patrick, whose new GoDaddy.com commercial will debut in the next couple of weeks and could be considered risque.
“GoDaddy, they have their own way of marketing. … For Danica, that’s where she’s been and I think it’s great,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “She’s a beautiful lady. If she can work both sides of it and be an athlete and be a sexy woman on the same side, that’s stand up for her. To be in the swimsuit issue with Sports Illustrated and to be an athlete, that’s a great thing. At least she’s just not a beautiful model, she’s got athletic talent as well.”
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49 responses to "JR Motorsports will wait until after ARCA race to decide if Danica Patrick runs Nationwide event at Daytona". Post a Comment.
Crashselowski12 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 1:43 PMLet her crash and burn in the NW Series so she'll leave.
pmosher said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 3:52 PMDancia is a good race car driver and deserves a shot at racing in the NASCAR SERIES. She did an outstanding job racing in the Indy Series and she will do an outstanding job as well in the NASCAR Series.
Villebilly said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 4:03 PMcan't wait for the godaddy commercial!
cwilcox said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 4:04 PMI wish people would just quit dogging her, quit making such horrible and snide remarks about her, as above, and just LET HER DRIVE!! THAT will tell the story, and THAT is how it should be!! Everything else does not matter. Even the commercials don't matter. The drivers HAVE to make the commercials for the sponsors, else they HAVE no sponsors. So, just leave that part out. Let her get out there and drive, and let that tell the story. Leave all this other BS OUT!!!! I am SO FRIGGING SICK of reading it!!
dale said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 4:16 PMPut Kelly in the car for the races Danica isn't in. From all I hear, Kelly was the best driver of all of the kids.
Carol-88-fan said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 4:18 PMCWILCOX, you are so right. I didn't like the idea of her coming to Nascar at first, but after thinking it over, she has as much right as anybody. After the way people are putting her down, I hope she succeeds. I just wonder if she were driving for Gibbs, would these same people be saying this crap?
manzytrophygirl said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 4:52 PMCWILCOX--My feelings exactly!
Werner said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:32 PMthis has to be the 1st driver driving under the Earnhardt banner that is getting negative banter...even from Jr Nation....
Rainier said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:33 PMCWILCOX, I also agree with your comment. She deserves a chance without the ridicule. And she deserves more than one race before people make judgements, i can see it now. If she doesn't finish in the top 5 in her first race, the comments will pour in that she is a failure.
ROWDY said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:34 PM4cwilcox said
I am SO FRIGGING SICK of reading it!!
Then dont read it!!!
This is what blogs are about!!!
People can say whatever they want.
This is still America Jerk!!!
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:54 PMI didn't ever keep up with Kelley. What series did she race in and for how many years? Did she race in NW full time? Or in Cup? How many wins does she have?
And yes...what all those others said. Leave Danica alone and let her race.
CRASH12...I think you watched TOP GUN one time to many... lol
markzuke said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:05 PMSpeaking of "jerks"....ROWDY is at it again. You and Kyle must be joined at the hip.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:17 PMBrad K. drove for Earnhardt and he got a lot of negativity.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:21 PMI cant believe all the stir about a driver that wont even be here until 2013 if she even comes at all. Shes going to run a few races. Everyone acts like she will be racing every week. She might not even like if after one race and never return.
Gwen, Kelley never really did any real racing. She drove a street stock over at Myrtle Beach and raced at Hickory back in 94 and 95. Everyone just use to say she was better than Dale because he never won a race before he got to the NW Series. I think it was more brother sister stuff that anything else.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:29 PMGwen, Brad will be getting plenty of Negativity if he doesn't smarten up when he gets to Daytona. But he will not be getting away with stuff over at Rogers like he did at JRM. Nobody disciplined him over there. Its not like that at PRS, He has to fit in and get along. Kurt and Sam will put him in his place real quick.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:51 PMI knew Kelley never really raced. lol Yes, that's what I am afraid of MSP. They will discipline Brad to much. I know from hearing Brad talk, he already knows he has to stop racing so aggressive. But can he stop? I believe he has that nature about him. He will have to calm down and I think he will to a certain extent, but I don't expect he will altogether. Just like at Dega last Spring....I believe under the same circumstances, Brad will maintain his line. Of course if the lines are removed, it will give drivers another option whether they take it or not. I will be pulling for Brad as my #2 driver unless he turns sissy on me. :-)
wmvjr1960 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 6:55 PMAs a fan of racing, I would like Danica to get that silly look off of her face, like she's always really intense or ticked off. Or constipated. She's overcompensating because she is small and a female. It's a turn off. A smile once in a while could go a long way.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 7:06 PMYou can bet that with Roger on that pit box he will listen. The days of talking back to Pops is over. Roger is very strict, Its sometimes like being in the Army in that shop. They have that Indy Car mentality.
SheilaLovesNASCAR said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 7:30 PMI'm wondering why it's okay for Kyle to be aggressive, but not for Brad? Am I missing something here?
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 7:38 PMMSP...Kurt Busch is there....so they can't be that strict about how a driver talks to their Crew Chief. And yes I know Brad is a rookie (in Cup) and that makes a difference. He has to earn respect from the other drivers and so on and so on......WMVJR1960... From a female prospective, the last thing I hope Danica does is smile a lot like she is in a beauty contest. She has a serious look on her face. She needs to be serious and take racing seriously. When she does an interview, the last thing I want to see is a giddy giggling woman. If she is upset about something, she needs to learn to deal with it without throwing any tantrums. She can save the smiling sexy stuff for the commercials. I'm not sure which way you mean when you say it's a turn off so I am going to leave that one alone. :-) I've said it before and I am saying it again...."Many changes" have been made for 2010 in NW and Cup, from CC changes, to drivers moving to different teams and car manufactures, changing the wing to a spoiler, a few rule changes, just to name a few things. I think this will make for some good interesting racing. I am tired of the boring stuff already. Maybe I am having withdrawals. I'm just ready for February 13th to get here! And I'm extremely ready for February 14th to get here! Not to mention the Budweiser Shootout! And I don't think I am alone on this! LET GO RACIN!!!!
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 7:53 PMSHEILA....If it's Brad's nature to be aggressive, he will be. They may tame him some, but he won't put up with other drivers running over him. NASCAR wants some aggressive driving and not just any driver can pull that off. More fans like aggressive driving than will actually admit it. I saw that when Hamlin made his threat to Brad and fans were telling Denny to get him good, and other fans were saying for Brad to get Denny. When Denny did spin Brad..... all the comments saying Brad deserved what he got and Denny should have done worse to him and Brad fans taking up for him and saying he should have got Denny back and etc. That is aggressive driving any way you look at it and I would bet anything more people watched that race just to see what was going to happen between those two. I know that is the only reason I watched it.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 8:15 PMNASCAR let that play out that way because the season was over. They didn't want that to carry over to this year.
19SheilaLovesNASCAR said:Jan 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM
I'm wondering why it's okay for Kyle to be aggressive, but not for Brad? Am I missing something here?
Kyle doesn't drive aggressive. He gives plenty to other drivers.
sweetthings88 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 8:23 PMGwen did you see where Dale Jr. is going to open up another WHISKEY RIVER in Jacksonville, Florida on March 1st I believe? You can go to RacingWin and read about it.
RonSchwalbe said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 8:54 PMRe: Danica - - ANYONE who has ever seen her aTTEMPT to pit in the IRL races over the years , has seen her hit and run over - ---other crew members - her OWN crew members - other cars - tires - the pit wall - other cars on pit road - almost take out the PACE car after spinning out on pit road after leaving with new tires as she tried to PASS the PACE CAR to - reGAIN HER LAP that she lost when she spun out ?????? HEY - You can't DO that - - !!! idiot !!
I hope she NEVER tries to pit at Martinsville, Bristol, Dover or any other place where CAR CONTROL is needed.
Don't take my word for it -WATCH the VIDEOS !!!! She CONSTANTLY overshoots her pit - or hits her teammates or others in the pits - At least on the TRACK -the other drivers have room to try to stay aWAY from her !
And poor Sarah Fischer is looking for IRL sponsorship because she keeps her cloths ON !!!!
cmitojo said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:06 PMput her and palin in wet t shirts .they would sell tickets !
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:10 PMThanks, SWEETTHINGS88...I'll check that out.
ROWDY said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:40 PMThis is the real Danica......A must see......If she does this in NASCAR she and Jr will be the laughing stock of the sport.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolVMIelrGw
ROWDY said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:44 PMThis one is how bad a driver she is in the pits........She takes out her own teammate because she wasn't paying attention....I cant wait for her to run daytona......Between Jr missing his pit and Danica hitting everyone in the pits it should be a barn burner.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otMMa4P6fNE
ROWDY said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:48 PMHere is one where she takes out half of pit road........I wouldnt want my kids crossing the road near that girl in a school zone.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPKnmSWIDTM
ROWDY said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 9:52 PMHer is another one of her running over her crew........I cant believe this girl could even get a license to drive a go kart......I hope she runs over all of jimmies crew...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JreZBZp3guY
Can_you_catch_me said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:00 PMIt was rumored that her teammates wanted to buy her out of her contract because she causes so many wrecks. She will make the ARCA series look like a demolition derby. Women drivers.
gwen_susie388 said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:05 PMROWDY....are you having fun yet?
SheilaLovesNASCAR said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:33 PM"Kyle doesn't drive aggressive. He gives plenty to other drivers"??? I like Brad. He sticks up for himself. And he races everyone like they race him. When Denny gets into him, Brad recovers. Brad doesn't go out of his way to get into Denny, yet Denny makes it a point to get into Brad. When Kyle makes the same move he's the hero. Why is it, no aggressive driving unless you are Kyle Busch?
wraldri said:
Jan 20, 2010 at 11:37 PMHey MSPhotography, what rock were you under in the 90's. Dale Jr won a bunch of late model races against the same kind of competition in the Carolinas/Va/Tenn that many other Cup guys came from.
24LOVER said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 12:53 AM#25, you sexist pig!
wmvjr1960 said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 1:00 AMGwen: I just meant she has a chip on her shoulder and maybe a smile now and then rather than that scowl might win her some fans. Why do you have to take it to the major extreme of a beauty contest? I never insinuated that. Even when she 'won' Motegi she never smiled. And didn't even thank the fans in the interviews. She is a mean little snot and it shows.
jbbigrod said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 4:44 AMPeople, people, people . . . . I think we NEED to define AGRESSIVE driving here. . . There is a BIG difference in agressive driving and wreckless driving. Busch is an agressive driver. Carl is an agressive driver. Denny is an agressive driver. Greg Biffle is an agressive driver. AJ is an agressive driver. KRASHLOUSKI is a WRECKLESS DRIVER! . . . To be agressive you are not afraid to pass, maybe even shake up a driver or two on the way, but you don't crash them to do it. . . . Heck Krashlouski CRASHES them even when he is not passing, ON THE STRAIGHTAWAYS even. I watched him do it last year, and he REALLY irked me. I don't know IF I will EVER get any respect for him and his stupidity. . . . He needs his butt whipped. . . . BUT GOOD! . . . What gets me is after he has done it it is like no big deal. HE just doesn't get it; what racing is all about. . . .Crashes are accidents, NOT a way of life like he makes them.
Motorsportsphotography said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 8:07 AM#34, I guess you were around Dale in 94 and 95, Not! I just love all you experts when it comes to Dale. Dale never left NC except to drive at Myrtle Beach. He never raced in TN or VA or any other state for that matter. Also, You stated he won a bunch of races. He ran about 100 or so races over 3 years and won only 3 of them. Kerry and him started with a old Monte Carlo they bought for 200 bucks. I still got shots of that thing. Get your facts straight first before you start telling me Im wrong.
DRLDeBoer said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 9:14 AMSo... Bires will not be contending for the championship then. Gee, ok.
dbcooper said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 9:43 AMMSP is that "really you" getting soaked in that Danica GO Daddy commerical. You are so versatile.
Marylou-who said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 1:25 PMI am excited that Danica is going to be part of the line up this year, Lets see what she can do. ( NOT part of Jr nation)
rwilliamhayes said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 4:40 PMthey're doing what JR. does best PRing and Flim Flaming.
dsturgi7 said:
Jan 21, 2010 at 7:15 PMJust let her get out there and race this is how the other drivers get started.At the start they said she will be in the first race so don't back out now starting out is key to being able to race just like everyone else that races.If they think she could not handle the car they should not have signed her on with JR motorsports.
cmitojo said:
Jan 22, 2010 at 2:26 PM#25 , add brad and dale jr. to the wet t shirt review !
HMS_SUCKS said:
Jan 22, 2010 at 7:37 PMDanica sucks but so does Jr.
knchevy41 said:
Jan 25, 2010 at 1:29 PMshame Kelly Bires wont get to race Daytona.
LUV88AND99 said:
Jan 26, 2010 at 10:17 PMHMS-SUCKS--A very intelligent comment from a very intelligent sounding name!
cmitojo said:
Jan 28, 2010 at 2:03 PMto knchey41, he don't got udders, if talent alone counted he would be in good shape. its also possible danica could make it on talent, but she is used as a cash cow now.
knchevy41 said:
Jan 28, 2010 at 2:58 PMWhat? what does this have to do with my comment? I was just saying, that I heard that Kelly wont get to race Daytona because of JR. Motorsports's economic struggle.