February 21st, 2010 
Journo The frenzy surrounding Danica Patrick in the weeks since she has begun her ascent to the highest level of American motorsports has been nothing short of a spectacle. When Patrick walks down pit road (or anywhere for that matter) a crowd almost constantly surrounds her, her pit stall is four and five deep and the huddled media jostles for a sound bite from her anytime she gets out of her car.
The media darling is certainly a popular presence in the garage right now. And why not? With her comes higher ratings and more page views. People want Danica, so Danica is what they’re going to get.
So you’d think a woman who loves attention and basking in the the lights of a TV camera would be more willing to talk following a race, something that just about every other driver manages.
Not Danica though. She got out of her car and stormed to her team hauler refusing interviews from ESPN (that pesky network that pays a lot of money to be there) and all others who tried. If you were willing to wait the half-hour afterward she did give those sound bites.
This isn’t even my gripe though. This is classic Danica (the sport’s first taste of her). The way it was handled by her representatives is what gets me. I’d expect a little more organization and order out of people who should be used to dealing with this (her frazzled looking, and dare I say acting, PR representative looked like this was a first for her).
The unfortunate part of all of this is not that media people are waiting (boo-hoo right?) but that it’s making the job for those who work in the sport that much more difficult. The poor teams that are parked next to her in the garage or on pit road (not to mention her own team) have to fight past (even larger) throngs of reporters and fans to do their job. In the case of her own team they now have to wait even longer to load their hauler and leave. Already difficult tasks now take a little longer.
I would think her top-notch representation would be a little better prepared to deal with a lot of people and a temperamental driver. In the future (because her finishing badly is likely to happen with frequency as she continues to learn) instead of making her team and a lot of other people wait, why not have a post race press conference (after the winner and second and third place finisher press conference of course) in the media center? It’s a win-win for everyone. Her representation gets rid of the fan element, she gets to fume for a while, and then gets to take questions in an orderly fashion. I’m sure NASCAR and the tracks would be pleased to set it up.
Related posts:
Posted in 
Tags: 
Your right. Everyone should actively work to make the situation easier for everyone. People are either pro-Danica or anti-Danica generally. If Danica waited to speak to the media then possibly her PR reps told her how she was belittled and mocked by most ESPN reporters ALL DAY LONG. Every question that she asked Tony Eury Jr was then tweeted by one of the reporters so they could all laugh at how stupid she was. Plus they have the added bonus of voicing their very low opinion of her on Twitter with no accountability for their statements. Their articles certainly do not read as the Twitter Feeds did before some changed them to be more respectable. One blogger is actively making fun of her for PAGE VIEWS. Then, at days end, he says I know I pi—ed many of you off but hey my article is #1 right now.
I agree with your suggestion but drivers, their wives, their spotters, their crew, the ESPN reporters, ESPN on-air talent, MSM reporters, all tweeting all day what a disaster she is FROM THE FIRST LAP is ridiculous. The NASCAR fans are reading their tweets. Today The Huffington Post writes an article regarding Nascar and conclude Nascar can’t afford or survive another major PR blunder. They all need to sit down and figure out if top end sponsors want to come to a sport where Danica was not given a fair shake. Hint: No, they won’t come and those around will start to leave when this becomes a full blown scandal.
There ya’ll go thinking again.
-W
Your points about inconveniencing neighboring teams are well-taken, and your proposed solution makes sense, but isn’t that kind of what happened on Saturday? After Patrick calmed down a little bit, she took some questions and actually gave one of the better post-race statements I’ve heard in a while. But I have no idea where this session took place, or how it impacted other teams.
I agree that DP’s reps should have had a better plan of action for this moment and those that will come after which, noone is kidding anyone, we all knew was coming. Noone that I can recall came to NASCAR from other series for the 1st time and was an instant driving genius. Only time will tell how she’ll hang and in the meantime, criticize all you want. I’m certainly not treating her any different than any other rookie driver coming in with hype.
As for for “outside” media predicting NASCAR’s survival because of what Danica does or doesn’t do, LMFAO! Is golf going to die because of Tiger? What about all the “criminals” in the NFL?? Sometimes media OPINIONS are just way too incredulous and they only hurt themselves.
She actually spoke to the media, which is more than what Kyle Busch would usually do after a bad day in Cup and Nationwide, she just wanted to cool down for a bit. She should have that opportunity.
No wonder Tony Stewart despises Nascar’s media corp.
And speaking of Stewart, his average finish in his first 2 Busch starts was 30th, Danica’s is 33rd and it also took Tony 12 Busch starts to finally finish a race on the lead lap, it’s been two for Danica so far without a finish on the lead lap, in other words- let’s give her the time and room she needs to learn these cars/tracks/competition, as Stewart suggested the media do this past Friday during his press conference.
VERY WELL said!!!
Funny, but I wondered about this situation when I first heard she may be making her way to our series. Indy drivers aren’t used to the mic being shoved in their face as soon as they get out of the car. They have the chance to cool off and go to a media center to do their interviews in a nice civilized fashion. Sorry to say dear, that this is NASCAR and sometimes it ain’t civilized. The media and drivers don’t adjust to YOU. You adjust to THEM. When in Rome…
Personally I would love to see her learn slowly and surely and make her way respectably up to the Cup series. For now, I am thankful that they kept her in NW where developing drivers belong as they learn the ropes.
Patrick is not only learning how to drive a stock car, she’s learning the NASCAR culture, including media.
I came up with a description of all this, and it explains why I follow her career so closely: we’re riding the learning curve with her. Sure, we get an occasional story about a newcomer, but we’re getting every word of her experience. And she’s being incredibly up front about it: she doesn’t know how it’s supposed to work! Good for her, ask the questions! Her post-Fontana comments were great, especially when she admitted that finishing on the lead lap was probably unrealistic, but that didn’t help her feel good about her finish. She knows, though, that she ran 147 laps, and that’s 147 laps of experience she didn’t have before.
I think this is great stuff on many levels.
The idea of Danica coming into the media center after the Top 3 drivers are done is a great idea.
Hopefully LVMS is listening!
Sure creates a lot of fodder.
What’s the big Damika deal, she isn’t even any good in the Irrelevant Racing League.
Danica will NEVER be competitive in Nascar. Period. That is a fact based on her Indycar mediocrity and current showings in top flight equipment. Tony Eury has been soothing her ego and telling her that she is doing a great job. I bet that she will eventually turn on him and state that the problem is with the car, not her. By the way, her teammate Bires came in 7th last weekend. Nobody seemed to notice.
Yeah, everyone’s watching…people love a train wreck.
It’s a marketing ploy and nothing else. I don’t think she’s even expected to be competetive because she won’t improve with the limited races she’s running.
As for the media frenzy around her being annoying? Oh well…To quote everyone : “She’s good for the sport!!”
This too shall pass…
Danica is a good driver, but she is no Tony Stewart. Tony proved himself on the dirt short tracks – the best preparation for NASCAR. He was an IndyCar champ before moving over to NASCAR. Danica is a road racer making the transition. Compare her to Franchitti, Scott Speed or Almendinger. All were more successful than Danica. If she approaches their performance she will be successful.
Indycar drivers are not used to a media center. That is F1. Indycar driver’s are interviewed as they exit their car much like NASCAR. But Indycar fans don’t like to hear that the driver had a good run for 15th place, we just want to hear from the top finishers.
Lord help us if she ever gets a top 10 or worse, a win! If you think this is all over the top now, just wait for that! And if she does that interview in her bikini? OMG!
You all sound like a bunch of intimidated chauvinists. So what if she’s a girl. That draws attention and sponsors for her and other teams.
Danica was not mediocre in the IRL last year. She finished 5th in the standings behind the four drivers from the top two teams. Those teams were out of everyone else’s league. Danica was better than other three drivers on her team and everyone else in the league.
If she doesn’t get sick of turning left all of the time, she’ll ride around like most of the other wankers in NASCAR hoping to luck into a win. She’ll start saying how she did great with a mid pack car and be happy to be pulling in a decent paycheck for a day’s work.
I would rather not notice nor care about new people or new things, until theyare worth talking about. who cares?
I am not talking to any one person, I am saying to the massesfolks saying hoping acting happy if she eventually fails. why would anyone do that? Do they want to maybe be able to say “told ya so”? who cares?
I am a race fan. Danica is a race car driver. She also happens to look hot in a bikini, which can only be gooder. She seems to have earned what she has. i dont hear any stories anything was handed to her. She did not sex her way up the ladder. Where What Why is the issue? She is a driver trying to make it. who cares? give some other drivers some press, tell us something we dont know.
Danica has been racing since she was kid, she seems to have paid some dues. She is already a success. If she stopped racing right now, she has already left her mark. The name Danica is in the book, and the picture next to her name only helps.
I am not a huge fan of hers, yet, she needs to do more to even be of interest. Sure she is hot, but I am surprised people care so much. It is too early to care.
If this was fake BS, I might be the first to say it. I despise that fake crap, hype, publictiy BS, but t I dont see that here. Does anyone else? Danica races, she has done fine, she is learning. Why after only 2 races are people making judgements?
There are ton of stop and parkers you can hammer on if you wanna bash. not saying anyone was … ; ) just sayin …. who cares?
….Not Danica though. She got out of her car and stormed to her team hauler refusing interviews from ESPN (that pesky network that pays a lot of money to be there) and all others who tried. If you were willing to wait the half-hour afterward she did give those sound bites”
I re-read you post to make sure my other comment was ok, and Hmmmmmm, There are 2 things.
1)My mama taught me “if ya dont have anything nice to say…dont say nothing at all”.
Dancia shutting up may have been the smartest thing to do at that moment. This is all 2 races new for her. Maybe knowing herself , and what she might say she fled. Maybe taking 29 minutes to perpare a “safe message” made her money . What if she had blurted out the truth ? what if she said says “that —– —– did ….”. ooppps. BIG FINE, how much of a fine? What was Jrs fine for cussing?
I see it as honesty on her part. She will get there, she will learn how to put on the fake lil NASCAR postrace driver smile ,,, and grin ,,,,, and say “shucks” “yeah”,,,, “it was a good show for the fans” “I just wanna thank my sponsors” …she will get there, maybe.
2) Is it the drivers job to make sure that the beggars and hangers-on stay out of the way? I would guess this is something you might want to bring to NASCARS attention. What is the rule regarding crowds in the pits and garage? They make rules, people follow them
I just want to know what makes her so special? If she were a man this past Sat would we have seen every other lap how he was 3 laps down in 30 something position? She hasn’t done anything spectacular – it’s not like she a winning drive (yeah 1 rain shortened race with no top drivers in it). There are other women drivers who have better credentials than her. If she didn’t look like she does would everyone be drooling over her? She’s just taking advantage of her looks to get rich – she’s exploiting herself.So besides her looks – someone please tell me what’s so special about her??
There it goes again….all about the media! OK OK…I totally understand if it weren’t for the media NASCAR would just be a series running around my local track…but come on now…you’re asking Danica to NOT be what makes her Danica…or Kyle Kyle…or Tony Tony…or heck at times I have even seen Junior and Jeff and our four time champ Jimmie do it…IT being…NOT jump out of their car and give an interview. This has been a sore spot with drivers..and some fans..and probably will always be…if a driver has a bad race or practice and just needs to collect their thoughts..go in their hauler and throw a few things and swear..they should be allowed to..WITHOUT a “dressing down” from the media. You complain about the crowds around Danica..well what are the crowds consisting of…lots and lots of media mixed with the few fans allowed on pit road. So media..cool it…if the driver doesn’t want to interview at that very moment..walk away…if the driver comes back after a cool down period for the interview..great…if not…the media can write (and usually does) all the nasty little things about how the driver is uncooperative and spoiled! It’s a shame drivers aren’t allowed to be human. I know when I have a “train wreck” of a day..one of the last things I want to do is have to explain it over and over…and for me I would be explaining it to friends and family…not the media! I wonder at times if the media’s feeling they should have “total access” to the drivers is really for the fans…or is it more to make the media feel superior..self important?
Everyone should chill.
After Vegas, Danica is not scheduled to return to NASCAR until late June (at New Hampshire). By then, the media circus atmosphere surrounding her will subside a bit.
Oh yeah, and by June, her #7 Go Daddy.com car will have to qualify on time. That should be interesting!
I don’t have a problem w/ DP not talking to the media right away. Thge media wanted to hype up Danicamania? that is what you get. Get used to the circus folks!
The real question no one is asking: why not put an “experienced” stock car driver (in the form of Alli Owens or others if a female is what you are looking to promote) in the same Jr Motorsports equipment? My guess? Better performance and less drama. Then again, isn’t that what was supposed to “save the sport”? Drama, hype and an influx of Go Daddy money???
Being a racing purest, I could care less about the #7 car running 3 laps down. Show me the real action.
Ponder this. Would you buy a ticket to a World Series game to see a player step to the plate w/ minor league credentials and the idea that “I don’t expect to win, just not make a fool of myself”? I just hope the DP circus does not have a long term ill effect on legitimate up and comers.
She’s been a 7th place car in a 22 car field her entire IRL career with just one win. After a disappointing race she needs to talk to the press. She’s a media darling now, but that will fade quickly, not to mention the Dale Jr smack she’s been talking. She’s going to talk (or not talk) herself out of a job. I predict she doesn’t make this season. I hope Andretti is on her side, she could wind up in Monster Trucks.
I hope she doesn’t get a quick time trial in Vegas. It’s better that she starts in the back because otherwise she will get in the way and trigger a big crash. She can barely drive the Nationwide car much less race it.