Danica to NASCAR

[Don]

By STEVEN COLE SMITH

" You will likely recall that 11 female drivers either took laps at the ARCA Series test at Daytona International Speedway in December or were on the testing list. But a glance at the entry list for the Feb. 6 race suggests that with less than a month remaining before the green flag falls, not many of them will return for the event.

As of Jan. 12, there are 46 entries for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, and only four of the named drivers are women. In the No. 88 is, of course, Izod IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick, making her heralded debut in a Chevrolet owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.--or, actually, Dale's sister Kelly.

The other female drivers: Alli Owens, the Daytona Beach native, driving a Venturini Motorsports car; Amber Cope, one of the twin platinum-blond nieces of former Daytona 500 winner Derricke Cope, in a Dodge that he owns; and Leilani Munter, the driver-model-conservationist, in a Mark Gibson-owned Dodge.

There are three "to be announced" driver slots in the lineup, and it is still possible that some of the female drivers who tested at Daytona will enter.

That week, the focus at Daytona will definitely be on female drivers, not only because of Patrick but also because the track is hosting the debut of the "Women in the Winner's Circle" exhibit, assembled by pioneering female driver Lyn St. James. On Feb. 10, there will be a major celebration at the track of women racers, and St. James has invited virtually every living past and present female professional race driver to attend--including AutoWeek columnist Denise McCluggage, who is a big part of the exhibit. "


AutoWeek | Updated: 01/13/10, 10:10 am et

Article URL: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...SCAR/100119954