Danica to NASCAR

[Wayne Maybury]

Very few drivers initially do well when they move up to the next level or in this case, to a completely different type of racing. There is a learning curve and 40 other drivers all trying to also win so it takes time to adjust.

I am surprised that NASCAR allows the Cup drivers to regularly compete in the Nationwide series. This makes it much more difficult for the younger drivers to be successful since drivers like Kyle Bush and Karl Edwards (and other Cup drivers) tend to dominate many of the Nationwide races. Obviously NASCAR allows the Cup drivers to compete in the lower series as this helps to sell tickets but it probably makes life difficult for young drivers trying to work their way up.

Wayne

[Ron61]

Wayne,

You are correct about that. We have a local driver here that is the son of a friend of mine and he has been driving since he was old enough to reach the pedals on a small Go-Cart. He has won several championships and moved into what used to be the Winston West series where he won regularly. He had an offer for the old Bush Series and just before he moved they called and canceled it because they had gotten a Cup driver to drive the car. That is why ARCA is becoming a big draw for new drivers as there isn't enough money there for the Cup teams to hog the series.

Ron

[Don]

Wayne.....not necessarily NASCAR's comment and not original with me. Mentioned that by mixing in the Sprint drivers in the Nationwide races, allows the newer/less experienced to gain more exposure to the type of racing and higher level of competition they will be facing when & if they move to the Sprint series. Hence, they adapt to the transition easier.

Speed coverage, must be a reason why the TV program sponsor dollars are spent on NASCAR programming, there must be a return on the advertising investment . The total economic and employment impact associated with NASCAR, from parts to track concessions etc. etc , it is big business.

Danica, no doubt there will be negative comments if she does not finish in the top 10 or 5 in her first race.........

Consider the open wheel, Indy Car and F1 (a few more this year) drivers, that move to NASCAR, how many NASCAR drivers move to the IRL on a permanent basis, other than the drivers that came from the IRL ?

[Ron61]

Don,

That is simple. NASCAR generates more money for the drivers if they make it. However even NASCAR admits that last season was not a good one for them in the finance department and that they had to many empty seats at the races. The economy undoubtedly had a lot to do with that, but also a lot of their fans are just tired of the no racing and follow the pace car for 1/4th of a race type stuff. For crying out loud, why do they need 10 laps of caution on a short track to pick up a piece of paper or rubber. I used to never miss a race, but the past few years I am skipping more and more of them as they are just boring to me for the most part.

Ron

[Wayne Maybury]

Don, I understand completely but it just doesn't seem fair to the young drivers. Basically the top pros, in any other sport, do not compete with the younger, less experienced competitors that are trying to work their way up.

There was some talk a few years ago that Jeff Gordon was probably a good enough driver that he could jump to F1 from NASCAR but it was stated that he would never do it as he would not want to take that much of a pay cut. The top NASCAR drivers are indeed very well compensated.

Danica will probably do as well as any other driver that is competing in NASCAR for the first time but she will have much more attention as she is a female in a male dominated sport. Her every move will come under a microscope. The talking heads on Speed will go on and on and on about how she did this or that or whatever. They have way too many hours to fill with useless bla-bla-bla every weekend so she will certainly be the subject for many of their conversations.

Wayne

[rustyBob]

Danica will do just fine.........
NASCAR drivers have an advantage over open wheel
druvers in the fact that they can rub up against other
cars........you do that in an open wheel car and your
upside down in the fence and on fire..........
NASCAR can be fun to watch again but they need to
make some serious changes.........

[Don]

" He had an offer for the old Bush Series and just before he moved they called and canceled it because they had gotten a Cup driver to drive the car."

While it might not be considered to be " fair " , it's fact. The Team requires sponsor funding, no money, no racing. To attract the sponsor that pays the bills, would you pick the proven Cup driver, who also makes personal appearances for the sponsor, or an unknown. It's not personal, it's a business decision. There is a rating service that measures the amount of TV exposure of the cars, which identifies the major sponsors, and then equated to the value in advertising. The Cup driver is going to get more TV time, by either running up front or in interviews with the sponsors logo on their race suits. Mandatory, each driver must be able to mention their sponsors , every other sentence, especially when winning

" That is simple. NASCAR generates more money for the drivers if they make it." " The top NASCAR drivers are indeed very well compensated."

Which equates to the fan base that purchases the sponsors products. Has Michael Waltrip retained NAPA sponsorship for his race finishes, believe he finished somewhere around 33rd in 2009, or for promoting the product in commercials etc and being able to mention NAPA in any
conversation/interview

" NASCAR themselves have brought on the negatives. Try watching Speed TV "

NASCAR does not sponsor the Speed TV programs, sponsors are paying for the TV time. In these economic times, sponsors must be of the opinion their getting value for the expenditure.

" Basically the top pros, in any other sport, do not compete with the younger, less experienced competitors that are trying to work their way up."

A major difference, any type of professional racing requires sponsor funding. In football, basketball, baseball, no sponsor funding required for the individual to make it to the major leagues, then comes the product endorsements, i.e. golf. Danica brought her sponsorship to the Dale Jr car. Would Paul Menard have a ride without the family sponsorship?

" NASCAR can be fun to watch again but they need to make some serious changes........."

Eliminating the wing and installing a spoiler , according to the drivers, should make a difference along with returning to passing below the yellow line at Daytona etc and allowing bump drafting in the corners. A major change would be to eliminate the restrictor plate while limiting the top speed for the safety of the fans if a car gets airborne, possibility of going into the stadium, sport might not survive the Congressional hearings.

Changing subjects, does anyone know the factual reason for having 43 cars starting a race as opposed to 42 or 44 or some other number ? The 43 being Richard Petty's number, don't think it's the reason.

[Ron61]

Don,

Back many years ago they never had the provisional like they used to and once started 72 cars in a race. Then as they realized they had to cut the number down it was finally paired to 42 cars. Then Richard Petty failed to qualify for a race and they made that past champion provisional so he could race, which made 43 cars. Just a coincidence that it was his car number and he was the one that they had to create it for. Since then they have stayed at 43 because on some of the small tracks, whoever starts last is almost a lap down before they can get up to speed.

Ron

[Don]

Thanks Ron, best explanation I've heard.

[Ron61]

Don,

I have several old books on NASCAR and that and watching some of the old races back when they first started is where I got that information. There is really an interesting story and pictures in some of them involving Tiny Lund and Buddy Baker. Some funny, some could have been very serious since they involved basically street driven cars then. Like Richard Petty telling about his Father borrowing their neighbor's Buick for a weekend in Daytona because it was faster than their car. They would go race it, clean it up and come home and the neighbor never knew they had been using it for a race car.

Ron

[Excaliber]

Rumor has it there will be no holes allowed in a womans race suit and no high heels.

...and just when I thought it was gonna be great.

[Ron61]

But think of the after race interviews when she is in a bikini and high heels. No one will remember what she did in the race,

Ron

[Don]

Danica's 2010 NASCAR schedule: No doubt there will be many opinions whether Danica will be read for a Nationwide race at Daytona after one start in ARCA, especially since that race will have a number of Sprint Cup drivers. Would be disastrous for any possible acceptance and success in NASCAR if inexperience created a major wreck.

"We want to give Danica the best opportunity to compete at Daytona, and that includes making sure she is 100 percent comfortable in that driver's seat," Kelley Earnhardt said. "The Nationwide race there is perhaps the most competitive race of the year. Once the ARCA race is complete, we will get with Danica and make a decision based on the best interests of her, the team, and our sponsor Go Daddy."


MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2010) - Danica Patrick will compete in 12 NASCAR Nationwide Series races with the possibility of 13 in her debut season with JR Motorsports, co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.

The only event uncertain on Patrick's schedule is the Feb. 13 season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet is entered in the event, but its driver will not be determined until after Patrick's race in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event on Feb. 6. Patrick will compete in the Daytona ARCA race in a JR Motorsports-prepared No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet.

Articles:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=355855

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2010...SCAR/100129920

http://www.scenedaily.com/news/artic...t_Daytona.html

[Don]

*** Danica interview from Friday 2/5, decision to be made on next weeks NASCAR Nationwide race, depends upon the quality of her driving, not only the finishing position. Realizes the challenge and the level of competition with a number of Cup drivers in the race.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=356686

*** ARCA starting grid, Danica is 12th. The 9 time ARCA champ Frank Kimmel starts 13th

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=356651

*** " The field of 43 for Saturday’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, a lower-tier stock-car event, will include a record six women "

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/sp...nt&tntemail0=y

[Ron61]

It is great to see more women getting into racing. It sounds as if Danica and Duno already have a rivalry going.

Ron

[rustyBob]

Todays ARCA race should be a good race.........
i will be watching........

[Ron61]

Bob,

I will be watching also. I bet this will be the largest crowd and most watched ARCA race in history. I am also going to watch the Daytona 500 Qualifying, if it isn't still raining there.

Ron

[Don]

While there will be many opinions on Danica's skill and ability to successfully drive both IRL and NASCAR, the press coverage should help the sport in visibility and TV ratings .

In turn, might attract additional sponsors for those teams that are underfunded or cannot get any financial backing. Believe it was Rousch with a highly rated Team, that was challenged to get full sponsorship for all his cars. Boris Said has only a 5 race deal.

[rustyBob]

Hot damn...Mark Martin has the pole for the Daytona 500....
now lets see what happens in the ARCA brace and the Bud Shootout.....

[dcdoug]

I guess that should answer the question as to whether she can drive in NASCAR. Pretty good first outing and a nice job controlling her car when she was knocked into the infield and then from hitting the wall when she got back to the track.