Despite the wide belief that such a move would do nothing to further her career, Danica Patrick is apparently moving to NASCAR in 2010. According to ESPN, she isn’t giving up on the IRL, however; racing only in Nationwide Series and Trucks next year.
Not sure why this hasn’t happened sooner, actually. I mean, aside from the increased money, TV ratings, sponsorships and U.S. profile, there’s really no upside for Patrick to make this switch.
Tony Stewart is the “star candidate” to be her partner and mentor in NASCAR, the source said, adding that Patrick’s recent visits to Stewart-Haas Racing were much more than social — that she and Stewart were discussing a deal, and are close to one.
“I can pretty much guarantee at some point she’s going to be over here,” Stewart told reporters Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, meaning NASCAR in general and hinting at something the source confirmed and clarified.
Her contract with the Andretti Green racing team expires after this season, and Patrick has said that she’s interested in shifting gears. From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
“I’m very flattered everyone is curious,” said Patrick, who finished 19th in the I.R.L.’s season-opening race, April 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. “It’s interesting to me as well. Do I stay where I am? Do I try to change? It’s all about evaluating options, and I think that’s something any good businessperson does.”
As THE TIMES notes, no woman has ever won a Sprint Cup race, or even run a full season. Nor will Patrick in 2010 … she’s easing in to it, reportedly, by not participating on the Cup circuit.
But will Patrick be more than an oddity in NASCAR? In pushing the Danica brand, is she forgetting Danica the driver?
Janet Guthrie, 71, was a trailblazer in American motor sports in the 1970s, when she became the first woman to compete at the highest level in open-wheel racing and in NASCAR.
“She should stay where she is,” Guthrie said. “She is in the best possible situation in I.R.L., in the catbird seat with one of the few teams that is capable of winning.”
H/T AUTOBLOG.
5:32 pm on September 8th, 2009
Who cares? She will just be a little Biatch, and all the other drivers will hate her, she will cause wrecks, big deal!! Take off your clothing Increase those boobs then I will pay attention.
5:42 pm on September 8th, 2009
Wow, NASCAR beat Playboy by a year or two. *lost office pool*
6:14 pm on September 8th, 2009
Given that this story originated in national media — and ESPN have a habit of taking credit for stories it does not originate — I’d be very suspicious.
Besides, Ms. Patrick is gonna have to tone down her image if she’s ever going to be taken seriously. Posing like a skank/slut/whatever for high-end products in GQ is off-limits if you want to get sponsors in NASCAR.
7:15 pm on September 8th, 2009
Get real Chucky, and Dale Jr.’s not gay, either. It’s just more media whoring from NASCAR, IRL, etc…. Just another also-ran driver who never takes risks and bitches out her team about the race set-up as if she wasn’t there before race day.
Maybe real racing will come back some day, but I can’t see it anytime soon. Boring cars, boring drivers
9:09 pm on September 8th, 2009
NASCAR’s fan base is mainly Bible Belt and rural America. They’ll accept a girl who plays football but they sure as heck won’t go for a race car driver who does raunchy photo spreads.
11:19 pm on September 8th, 2009
For someone who is a 6 on a good day, and a very average driver at best, she sure is getting mileage (haha) from her 15 mins
1:17 am on September 9th, 2009
No brainer for Tony Stewart. Low-risk, high reward. She comes with a fan base that would be mostly new to NASCAR and a load of sponsors. Go Daddy douchebag will eat this up.
But the worst part for the NASCAR die-hards: Stewart is the man. If anyone can help an open-wheeler adapt to the supposed “stock” car, it is Skippy.
Personally, I can’t stand her, either, but this move makes a lot of sense all around. And I think she’ll be a factor…at least more so than Dale, Jr.
9:46 am on September 9th, 2009
Does NASCAR race in Japan? That’s the only place she has been able to win a race. Well if she can’t wins races, or pick fights what better way to keep your name in the press by switching racing leagues. Maybe she will become the Bret Favre of racing and switch every year or so. Oh, and who really cares!!!
11:32 am on September 9th, 2009
I like the Favre analogy! Can we have a dual news black-out?
2:53 am on September 10th, 2009
NASCAR raced in Japan years ago. Two exhibitions after the regular season. If the rumors are true she’s doing it the right way by jumping in the Trucks and doing some Nationwide races. It’ll bring money and fans to the series. The ‘racey’ Go-Daddy and Maxim style picks won’t even ruffle Mike Helton’s mustache.
The hardest things outside of heavier cars on smaller tires for her to adjust too is the length of the season. NASCAR has nearly three times as many races. Plus she has to deal with fans as they are everywhere before the race.
NASCAR has had several women drivers before. The most successful was Patty Moise in the ‘Busch’ series. But she only came close. 4 top tens.