Comments on: How To Scare Away Sponsors; and Danica Patrick

By: Journo

Journo — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:03:09 +0000

Jeff- Tony had three wins, ten top-fives, thirteen top-tens, eight poles, and a championship in the IRL. He did that in just three full seasons (given more time there he certainly could have done a lot more). The fact is Danica has not had the success of Tony, Juan Pablo or Sam. She is a middling IndyCar driver who certainly has potential but has not had the success of her counterparts…yet. Personally I take the Chip Ganassi line; she needs to achieve in the IndyCar Series, where she is very close to being very good, and then consider making a move.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:34:53 +0000

Let’s not forget that Tony Stewart made the same transition that Danica may be considering. And Smoke never achieved the success he now enjoys until he made the move. I say she may do limited schedules in both types of cars before making the leap. She would certainly bring some glamour to NASCAR and, hopefully, re-energize the sport a little. Don’t underestimate her; I’m sure there are those who never thought Ashely Force would have the impact on drag racing that she has. She has helped raise the level of competition and opened the door for more women to not only participate but be competitors.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:07:42 +0000

I hope that in the future Danica goes with SHR. Tony would be a great mentor. She sure can bring the crowd and sponsors with her, it will be interesting to see when it happens.

By: Dennis Miller

Dennis Miller — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:18:43 +0000

With Nascar in a slump with a crapie out look for the future , it would seem that Nascar would have some behind the scene prodding in have a top team sign this hott young sweetie, no offence Danica, but you are one hot lady that can get it done on the track ! What a match, driving for SHR , i’am sure she’d still have an offer to drive in the INDY 500. Look out JR , she’s gona blow you away in merchdise sale’s and the way you’ve been doing this year , she’ll probable put you to shame on the track ! I’ve all ready started pull’n for Tony & Ryan, it would not be that hard to pull for her ! Oh by the way KB does look like a ditch rat and i’d love to have the job stuffing him back in those nationwide car’s he like’s to leave on the track ! I’d do it for FREE !

By: Tom in TN

Tom in TN — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:46:54 +0000

#18 Thanks, I even read the story here about JL, but it never clicked..Thanks for the info…

By: Neon

Neon — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:40:40 +0000

#11 Tom in TN: JL = Johanna Long
#15 Marc: Agreed….Ganassi makes most sense in taking DP. Chip is much more likely to look at income $ generated w/ DP than Penske. Roger doesn’t need the $ and has a stable of proven talent in Helio, Briscoe and Power.
#7 Doug in CA: I’ll give DP credit for following team strategy after her misques. But, if you break down the races that she faired well in, it is always due to a revised strategy as a result of her altercations or poor restarts that forced the team to go with an out-of-sequence game plan. Never up front on all out speed or straight up race strategy.

By: knobcreekfan

knobcreekfan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:18:27 +0000

D Jones – “If she were serious about driving stock cars. wouldn’t we have heard about her testing with some CUP team?”

I have not seen her contract with AGR, but in the past they had provisions where the drivers could not drive/test anything AGR did not approve. Since they do not want her to go to NASCAR, I am sure they will not approve her testing a cup car.

By: D Jones

D Jones — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:41:39 +0000

Every year around this time, Danica is visiting or talking to CUP teams. I honestly think it’s a ploy on her part.

If she were serious about driving stock cars. wouldn’t we have heard about her testing with some CUP team? Why hasn’t she been put in a ride in an ARCA race for instance, just for giggles?

She’s staying in the IRL. Lord knows we have enough divas in NASCAR.

BTW, this is a woman’s point of view.

By: marc

marc — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:36:12 +0000

Kevin – Danica’s “antics?”

Most reports had Stewart offering the invite to her for the shop tour, which raises the obvious question. Was it Danica’s or Smoke’s “antics?”

Kevin, MeThinks your anti-Danica bias is hanging out.

Doug in CA – Spot-on. AGR for whatever reason just isn’t up to the standards set by Penske or Ganassi this year or last and facts do indicate she’s the best of the AGR drivers at this point in the season.

As for her move to NASCAR, I’ll stick with what I’ve said all along, she stays where she is with the goal of winning at Indy.

That said, the rumored move to Ganassi’s IRL team makes the most sense. She shifts to one of the two top IRL teams, and she might, I repeat might, have the chance to dip a tow in the waters of NASCAR via his NASCAR operation on a part-time basis.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:44:48 +0000

She is going to move enough merch to cover the entire cost of running her team, plus some.

It is a win-win for whatever owner she chooses to drive for.
If she picks a full team, they will dump someone to get her
a seat.