maveness | (no subject)

Hi, Danica Patrick's father, let's teach NASCAR fans how to resent you (or the guy writing the article at Sports Illustrated - I'm not sure which).

Danica in NASCAR?

First off, Danica herself has expressed reluctance about going to NASCAR any time soon. This really feels like her dad trying to wrangle a sweet deal for her in IRL or market here as opposed to letting her race what she wants to race. And really, for a woman who's blazing trails in a sport, you really don't need a man getting in the way of your dream and muddying the waters, especially when you're 24. (Dear Danica - seriously, do what you want to do. Don't buy into hype or what's most popular. Follow your passion. I'm with you in recognizing the difference.)

The fiery Colombian (Juan Pablo Montoya) won the Indy 500 in 2000 and CART championship in 1999 driving for Ganassi but has never driven in a NASCAR event. While Patrick does not have Montoya's racing credentials, she would have no less marketing potential for a series seeking to expand its popularity.

The difference is, NASCAR is looking to increase it's popularity...when it's the number two sport in the country. The only thing we can pass is football (like that will happen). Internationally, yes, it would be nice to grow an audience, but the only countries that NASCAR is looking at are Mexico and Canada for possible growth. Hauling the cars across the ocean is too daunting and expensive.

Also, the racing credentials are HUGE. Montoya is a proven winner switching genres...to Gannassi Racing, which has open wheel and NASCAR, but is NOT a big contender in NASCAR right now. Casey Mears' 42 is the one doing best, but his equipment isn't top notch like the big dogs. Plus, you're putting an F1 racer in with two guys that are rookies right now. Reed Sorensen, by default of points, will become the senior driver on the team. It was weird enough when Casey was senior driver, now Reed? And Danica's dad thinks she can get a better ride than Montoya? For marketability she might land a decent ride, but the fact is, she doesn't have a lot of time under her belt. Montoya is a much safer bet and has tested NASCAR.

In fact, it's not like coming in from another series that's "better" (they're so different as to be impossible to compare - the drivers would tell you that first thing) is a guarantee of success. The differences are astounding. Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, Casey Mears, John Andretti...these guys all have Indy or Champ backgrounds (heck, Robby will race anything with wheels), but it was not a direct indicator of how they'd do in Cup.

Plus the schedule is very daunting. Danica herself has expressed concern of the 36 race schedule because of how grueling it is. It's not just the racing, but the sponsor requirements, public appearances and fan interaction. Compared to the other types of racing, NASCAR is insane for the amount of time the driver spends in the public eye, interacting with the fans.

Since her fourth place finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the photogenic Patrick has remained the IRL's top attraction but the 24-year-old driver has yet to win a race.

Yes, because being photogenic is the only reason anyone pays attention to her. *stabs the writer*

Patrick said he does not believe his diminutive daughter would have any problem making the jump and given time and the right car could be competitive in the rough-and-tumble world of stock car racing.

Because really, the itty bitty tiny woman can't handle the big ole redneck men. Never mind that she's had to fight to be in motorsports at all and was the first woman to lead the Indiannapolis 500, a feat in and of itself. Yeah, she's no Janet Guthrie (there hasn't been a woman since to compare with Janet), but honestly? I think there's a good chance she'd outlast several of hte drivers in a fight.

"I don't think she'd have a problem," said Patrick. "You could give her six months or a year in a car and do some testing and learning. She understands the basics. Strength-wise, it's probably easier to drive one of these because they have power steering where we (in the IRL) don't right now."

Um, because a 1550 pound Indy car that sits lower to the ground compares in drivability to a stock car sitting at normal car height that weighs 3400 pounds. Dear Danica's dad, get your head out of your ass. In Indy car, the car has specs and weighs what it weighs. The lighter the driver, the more advantage they have. In NASCAR, the car plus driver have to weigh 3400 pounds. No matter how light Danica is, the builders have to factor that in and come to one weight limit. Therefore, if the power steering goes, you're screwed. Just ask Kurt Busch.

The dominant motor sport series in the U.S., NASCAR has been searching for new marketing opportunities and way to grow the sport.

Yes, we have. It's called New York City, Washington state and minorities. Juan Pablo Montoya is more of a draw from the standpoint of being Hispanic than the fact that he was an F1 driver ("was" being the operative word since he was let go from his team today). NASCAR has been trying to grow the number of minorities in the sport. The big concern is not to shoot any of the drivers in the foot by bringing someone in to fill the "minority quotient" who isn't prepared. The face of NASCAR is the drivers, but it's not fair to any new driver to get behind the wheel when they're not ready. It's about doing their best so that the drivers are competitive and race is secondary. And....I just got sidetracked there.

(Oh, dear Montoya...you've already got me paying attention since you adore Shakira. Woohoo! Be cute and charming and work hard and you may get a fan out of me.)

Montoya's arrival is sure to increase interest among the large American Latin community as well as generate interest among motor racing mad South America.

See? Like I said.

Patrick would also likely open up new doors and revenue streams pulling in the woman viewers.

But really, with me now...what? Dear writer, do your research on the number of female NASCAR fans. 42% of the fans are female. Do you think we show up for the cars exclusively? Come on. I like things that go fast and the vrooming...but I could sit in the Wal-Mart parking lot and see that. A big part of the draw is the guys. So let's get real, a few women are going to be drawn in by Danica, but she's also going to be a bigger draw for the men.

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I honestly don't disagree with a thing you said and I couldn't have said it better. How fucking ridiculous.

"Patrick would also likely open up new doors and revenue streams pulling in the woman viewers."

I think you're right. Whoever wrote that must not watch/know a thing about NASCAR, because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who notices the fact that female fans almost seem to outnumber the male fans at the races anymore. We don't need Danica fucking Patrick to be drawn to the sport. I think it's just so funny that they're acting like she can come into NASCAR and start whipping everyone's ass. Even if she signed onto a team like Roush or Hendrick or any of the "top tier" teams, she wouldn't have her Indy success right off the bat. Just. Ugh.

Sorry. I'm just repeating what you already said but that's just frustrating as hell when people act like NASCAR is SUPAH EASY to break into and succeed in.

And I hate it for Danica, because it feels like her dad is manipulating the situation, which isn't fair to her. She's got talent, but it's raw. Heck, there are a few NASCAR drivers that I feel like have raw talent and they've been in the sport for a while, whereas some just walk in the door polished.

Although I really would pay big money for any woman who walked onto the track and ran the Midol/Tampax car. *g* Just because there has to be nothing scarier in the mirror than a woman in a pink car that has to do with PMS who possibly stood up in the driver's meeting and mentioned 'By they way, guys, the hormones are at peak level today. Don't piss me off.'

The writer, with his "pretty woman" comments followed by "this will draw in female fans" is so obviously a man without a clue. Pretty women draw in men. Women who can drive will draw in women. Women are more likely to identify with a woman who kicks male butt than the one who has the best legs.

Women are more likely to identify with a woman who kicks male butt than the one who has the best legs.

WORD. When I want to watch women duking it out over who has the best legs or the best ass or the prettiest face, I'll watch America's Next Top Model. I want to see someone who can talk shit with the best of them (I.E Tony and Kevin) and can go out there and race good, clean races. I don't care if she's got legs for days or a huge ass and a wart on her nose. Just give me someone who knows something about cars and how to drive them.

And ANTM...half those girls would reduce the men of NASCAR to tears if they competed. *g* (Tears of laughter in the case of Jade.) But "pretty"...yeah, totally different from skill. Hee.

That's why Janet Guthrie is the gold standard. She fought her way in at a time when women just didn't race, period. It's still hard to get in, but the opportunities are better and the sport is more open to developing drivers no matter race or sex.

Geez. No sooner had you posted this than Prof. D came in asking about it.

LOL I have mad skillz. Or my prognostication decided to ignore Ward and go for anticipating people asking about Danica. Hee.

Didn't Tony come from IRL? I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere. But I agree with you -- I feel like she's being manipulated into it, or at least exploited or something.

From my perspective, I've watched her on IRL -- I think it's awesome what she's doing there. I would hope that she does what she wants to do, not what "makes the cash" or whatever.

Bah.

*nods* Tony did. He almost won the Indy 500 a few times (and he's been known to do the "double" - the Indy 500, fly to Charlotte, and then race in the Coca Cola 600). He's very rare, because most guys can't make the transition or have an obvious strength.

That's me, too. I don't want her being manipulated by "go with what's popular" into making a decision she's not comfortable with. The NASCAR community wouldn't appreciate being used as a pawn and the IRL wouldn't appreciate being played. I hope her dad isn't screwing her out of motorsports entirely.

Every time I hear about a minority driver coming to race in NASCAR, I get all excited. But you're right, hopefully the person that does come in is very experienced. And at least has a top notch car to match that experience.

Every time I envision black drivers in NASCAR, I keep on seeing that True Life: I'm a Race Car Driver doc in my mind. Oy.

Looking at Montoya's resume so far, I think he's going to blaze trails. He's won in F1, Champ, Indy...and he loves rubbin and racing. *g* (Okay, so he's basically Harvick, from what I can tell.) He may have one of the best opportunities of anyone who's "older" coming into the sport.