Danica to NASCAR

[Don]

Danica was credited with completing 149 laps and finishing 31st, 3 laps down, ahead of 7 other drivers still running at the end and 5 others that were out of the race. I do not recall the drivers names, but the commentators mentioned she finished better at Fontana than other drivers making the transition from open wheel. The primary objectives of completing all laps, not causing a wreck and gaining seat time was met, in the 1st high speed non-restrictor plate race which is the majority of the future races. Competitive, not even close, but a worthwhile start.

Again, if Danica's presence helps to retain and attracts sponsors, improve track attendance & TV viewing, then the other drivers, Tracks and Teams will benefit. It's still a business requiring funding , even the President/Owner of Fontana thanked her.

" Patrick suffered a pair of pit road speeding penalties and lost one of her three laps on a pass-through penalty. "

" She was rudely introduced to the vagaries of NASCAR's pit-road speeding system, twice getting ticketed by the radar gun and once having to serve a pass-through penalty that cost her a lap. "Where the hell was I speeding?" she demanded once over the radio, sounding in that instant like a NASCAR veteran "

There were a total of 10 speeding violations

Above, experienced drivers have suffered the same fate, part of the learning curve, a little different than having the Indy car button which limits pit speeds. On the pit stops, don't think she missed her spot and didn't slide by requiring backing up

Some other news quotes:

" She wanted to run with other cars, but not hold up anyone on the lead lap. She had her radio cut in and out."

" This was an enterprise where the victories were small ones -- Eury telling her "good corner," a speed at one point that matched what those in the top 15 were running, an improvement of a few positions after the car rounded into shape."

No doubt the 31st place finish met with Danica having a less than favorable press interview, rock star status to reality of NASCAR racing, after the race at her trailer, but the same attitude has been present with other Cup drivers, or is it the competitive spirit of desiring better finishes ? Las Vegas next week is thought of as a less challenging track than Fontana, experience gained should help.

Taking 4 months off and then going to the 1 mile flat track at New Hampshire in June, not the best situation. Testing/practice is allowed at tracks not having a NASCAR race, one of these being Pickens County Speedway in Greenville SC, which has been used by other Teams, wonder whether Danica & Eury will have these sessions ?

" After Vegas, Patrick will then take a four-month hiatus to focus on her Izod IndyCar Series responsibilities before returning to drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in the June 26 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The remainder of her Nationwide schedule: Chicagoland Speedway (July 9), Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 14), Dover International Speedway (Sept. 25), Auto Club Speedway (Oct. 9), Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 15), Gateway International Raceway (Oct. 23), Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 6), Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 13), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 20). "