Danica to NASCAR

[Don]

Ron........yes, her career avg finish was in the 25 to 30 range. However, I do not believe Shawna had the race car and Team to consistently have better finishes. Danica will have the advantage of an excellent race car and support, Hendrick is a partner with Dale Jr as owners.

Here's one that I had not previously seen, from the Sunday Parade Magazine:

Danica Patrick Races Past Criticism:

Q What does race-car driver Danica Patrick think of stock-car legend Richard Petty’s statement that car racing isn’t a sport for women?—Tom Tucker, Hammond, Ind.

A “It doesn’t bother me,” says 27-year-old Patrick, who placed third at last year’s Indy 500 and will soon compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “Men and women are crossing gender barriers so much now, and people are more open to it than in the past. I’m always received with positivity and people wanting me to do well. So that’s what I’m feeling.”

[Wayne Maybury]

Don

May be she should go into politics as she sure stick handled around that question very nicely.

Wayne

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by Don

A “It doesn’t bother me,” says 27-year-old Patrick, who placed third at last year’s Indy 500 and will soon compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “Men and women are crossing gender barriers so much now, and people are more open to it than in the past. I’m always received with positivity and people wanting me to do well. So that’s what I’m feeling.”

I'm sure her reception isn't hurt by the fact that she is very good looking (not to mention a decent driver)....

[Ron61]

I hope that she does do well and I was somewhat surprised by Richard Petty's remarks.

Don,

I saw on the NASCAR site that Jr. had said he doesn't even talk to her, and his sister handles all of that. Wonder what brought that on.

Ron

[Don]

" I saw on the NASCAR site that Jr. had said he doesn't even talk to her, and his sister handles all of that. Wonder what brought that on "

From the onset, Dale Jr has mentioned that his sister, Business Mgr, was handling all the negotiations etc with Danica. Might go back to the adverse publicity Dale has received since joining Hendrick that he has too many other distractions which has contributed to his poor race results

[Ron61]

Yea, that could be it. He always did like to party and that was one of his Father's gripes when he was still around. Plus, lets face it, Jr will never be the driver his Father was and he will always be compared to Dale Sr. That isn't really fair, but is part of being a super stars son and trying to follow in their foot steps.

Ron

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Yea, that could be it. He always did like to party and that was one of his Father's gripes when he was still around. Plus, lets face it, Jr will never be the driver his Father was and he will always be compared to Dale Sr. That isn't really fair, but is part of being a super stars son and trying to follow in their foot steps.

Ron

Ron, of course there will always be that comparison. However, on the other hand, would the son of a super star even make it to that level if it were not for his father? I'm not specifically pointing a finger at Dale Jr. but just playing the devil's advocate, in general.

Wayne

[Ron61]

Wayne,

That is hard to tell. Some of them have had fair success in other sports and others have failed miserably. Also a couple have had no interest at all in following in their Father's footsteps and have gone on to other things and did well.

Ron

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

Ron, of course there will always be that comparison. However, on the other hand, would the son of a super star even make it to that level if it were not for his father? I'm not specifically pointing a finger at Dale Jr. but just playing the devil's advocate, in general.

Wayne

Good point Wayne. I also think it needs noting that racing in the 80s to the 90s is a lot different than now. Jr came in during the end of an era so the proper question, to me at least, is if Jr with his skills drove during the same time as his father, would he have been as successful, and with all the penalties for breathing on a competitors car would Sr be as successful today? At times it seems that drivers are getting penalized and called to the Nascar trailer for looking cross-eyed at another car. Sr would not hesitate to move someone out of his way if they were holding him up. That type of driving gets you penalized laps today (depending on who you are it seems at times).