Danica Patrick in NASCAR

Anyone going to watch the Nationwide series race on Sat down in Daytona?

I am a bit torn. Alot of people are making a big deal out of it, like it has never been done for. A woman in a NASCAR race.

It has been done multiple times. See the following:

Jennifer Jo Cobb
Chrissy Wallace
Janet Guthrie
Louise Smith
Ethel Mobley
Sara Christian

Danica Patrick doesn't even have very impressive stats. Know how many races she has won? One.

Alot of this feels like it is a big marketing ploy, some kind of strategy to get more viewers and more people in the stands.

Obviously she is very attractive. She does market herself well. But... is that all that everyone cares about, is her looks? As I said, she doesn't have very good stats. Other racers that have switched from open wheel racing to stock car haven't made the transition very well (with the exception of JPM, who started off very rocky).

I really think is getting blown way out of proportion. I have heard many people claim "this is historical, first woman driver in NASCAR!". Which is obviously false.

Who knows, I am from the south... and the only people who stereotypically watch NASCAR are us rednecks so :cool:

Anyhow, anyone have any thoughts?

i dunno imma tune in

i like reed sorenson but he never wins :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockyTop

Anyone going to watch the Nationwide series race on Sat down in Daytona?

I am a bit torn. Alot of people are making a big deal out of it, like it has never been done for. A woman in a NASCAR race.

It has been done multiple times. See the following:

Jennifer Jo Cobb
Chrissy Wallace
Janet Guthrie
Louise Smith
Ethel Mobley
Sara Christian

Danica Patrick doesn't even have very impressive stats. Know how many races she has won? One.

Alot of this feels like it is a big marketing ploy, some kind of strategy to get more viewers and more people in the stands.

Obviously she is very attractive. She does market herself well. But... is that all that everyone cares about, is her looks? As I said, she doesn't have very good stats. Other racers that have switched from open wheel racing to stock car haven't made the transition very well (with the exception of JPM, who started off very rocky).

I really think is getting blown way out of proportion. I have heard many people claim "this is historical, first woman driver in NASCAR!". Which is obviously false.

Who knows, I am from the south... and the only people who stereotypically watch NASCAR are us rednecks so :cool:

Anyhow, anyone have any thoughts?

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Anna Kournikova much?

Mike

Wait, she's a racecar driver? I thought she was just a spokesperson for internet domain registration and web hosting. lol.

how can you not watch, daytona is like the super bowl of nascar

and just for the record im not from the south or a redneck and i watch

They probably are making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. All about marketing and bringing in more viewers.

But I don't think its a bad thing. Might encourage more girls to get into cars and racing which will just tap an even larger pool of potential talented drivers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockyTop

Obviously she is very attractive. She does market herself well. But... is that all that everyone cares about, is her looks?

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Short answer...Yes

Long answer.....Affirmative :D

She's a good driver & VERY good looking that means lots of sponsership money!:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greghall

She's a good driver & VERY good looking that means lots of sponsership money!:)

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I hardly call this a good driver:

81 Starts
16 Top 5's
1 Win
She does have 46 Top 10 finishes, but an IRL racing field is usually 20 cars. Not 45ish like NASCAR. So she finishes in the top 50% half the time. Thats like mid 20's in NASCAR.

Sorry, but she screams mediocrity.

But you are right, she is attractive so will bring in the money. Another mediocre driver (Dale Jr) will be making alot of money on this as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockyTop

I hardly call this a good driver:

81 Starts
16 Top 5's
1 Win
She does have 46 Top 10 finishes, but an IRL racing field is usually 20 cars. Not 45ish like NASCAR. So she finishes in the top 50% half the time. Thats like mid 20's in NASCAR.

Sorry, but she screams mediocrity.

But you are right, she is attractive so will bring in the money. Another mediocre driver (Dale Jr) will be making alot of money on this as well.

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There are alot of mediocre drivers in nascar. Heck most average fans can only name off a handful of drivers. Lets see how I do

Jeff Gordon
Jimmy Johnson
Mark Waltrip
Dale Jr
Danica Patrick
Mark Martin
Rusty Wallace
and some dude names sorenson (sp?)

umm yeah that's pretty much what I got

If you ask most people I bet Danica Patrick would be included with them names of a lot of good drivers.

Name recognition and looks sell, especially hot girls racing cars and doing "risque" go daddy commercials. I'm a red blooded American man I'll watch a hot girl half ass something for a few hours.

Mike

they should give her a see thru car and make her drive in a bikini.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hoax

There are alot of mediocre drivers in nascar. Heck most average fans can only name off a handful of drivers. Lets see how I do

Jeff Gordon
Jimmy Johnson
Mark Waltrip
Dale Jr
Danica Patrick
Mark Martin
Rusty Wallace
and some dude names sorenson (sp?)

umm yeah that's pretty much what I got

If you ask most people I bet Danica Patrick would be included with them names of a lot of good drivers.

Name recognition and looks sell, especially hot girls racing cars and doing "risque" go daddy commercials. I'm a red blooded American man I'll watch a hot girl half ass something for a few hours.

Mike

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Well, you named a few big name NASCAR drivers(you left off Tony Stewart). There are alot of good drivers who don't get the spotlight. Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne, etc.

The difference is that all of the drivers who have switched from IRL (where Danica raced) to NASCAR, came with multiple wins and a vetted background (and all but 1 didn't make it in NASCAR lol. Granted they didn't get the equipment and money Dale Jr is supplying). She didn't. I would have no problem if the only race she didn't win was one that only had 13 cars in it.

But, she will sell merchandise and draw in viewers. And it's not like she is racing in the Cup series, it's just the Nationwide, so.. I hope she does well. I think she has signed for 12 races this season? Wish her the best :)

Bummer, looks like she wrecked with 40 laps to go. It happens heh. Hopefully she gained some valuable experience, because... she wasn't looking to great anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockyTop

I hardly call this a good driver:

81 Starts
16 Top 5's
1 Win
She does have 46 Top 10 finishes, but an IRL racing field is usually 20 cars. Not 45ish like NASCAR. So she finishes in the top 50% half the time. Thats like mid 20's in NASCAR.

Sorry, but she screams mediocrity.

But you are right, she is attractive so will bring in the money. Another mediocre driver (Dale Jr) will be making alot of money on this as well.

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So you call finishing 5th over all last year in the IRL "hardly a good driver?" I would call $788k for working on the weekends a hell of a gig. And thats just being mediocre.

BTW she finished 2nd in money winnings behind Helio Castroneves. And driving without pushing people all over the track takes a hell of alot more skill than just pushing them out of your way. I think some think she is mediocre because she didnt take the checkered more, and they (you) have a valid point. But still a hell of a driver. Yeah she's hot too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rebel750

So you call finishing 5th over all last year in the IRL "hardly a good driver?" I would call $788k for working on the weekends a hell of a gig. And thats just being mediocre.

BTW she finished 2nd in money winnings behind Helio Castroneves. And driving without pushing people all over the track takes a hell of alot more skill than just pushing them out of your way. I think some think she is mediocre because she didnt take the checkered more, and they (you) have a valid point. But still a hell of a driver. Yeah she's hot too!

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She does make a hell of a lot of money lol.

Kind of interesting how nobody even mentioned another woman was driving in that same race today... and she raced last season too... granted she is from the Wallace clan and didn't make it 2 laps lol.

I'm interested to see how Danica does. But man, her voice is annoying. She seemed excessively whiney/making excuses (as do all drivers lol. Drivers are full of excuses). I think I may need to mute the TV to enjoy her.

It's always someone elses fault when they crash. Yeah the fat girl in the back didnt even have time to warm up her tires.

It's always about ratings and $$$. And they are getting it right now. I kinda hope Danica does alright, only b/c I have had a crush on her since her days hosting Spike TV saturday morning car shows.

Mmmmm hot chicks who drive faster than me! Few and far between.