Published reports say -– and multiple sources confirm to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody -- that the IndyCar star is ready to abandon her Open Wheel career in favor of a full-time schedule of NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing next season, while also making a limited number starts on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Her Nationwide ride is expected to be with JR Motorsports, which has fielded cars for her in each of the last two seasons. Team owner Dale Earnhardt, Jr., hinted strongly last weekend that things were coming together for a full-time NASCAR effort next season, saying, "I haven't heard anything, (but) I feel confident that she's happy with what we're doing and I think things are looking positive for us to put something together. I would like for her to run full time and I'm sure she is considering that and I think she would enjoy it.”
In addition to a championship run on the Nationwide tour with JR Motorsports, Patrick will reportedly run a limited schedule of Sprint Cup events in Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. The move would be disastrous for the IZOD IndyCar Series, which has marketed Patrick as its most visible and marketable star for years.
Danica coming to NASCAR is bollocks in my opinion. $$$$ rules...
ReplyDeleteI believe Danica is coming to NASCAR to only make big money and make money for others too. I maintain she is a mediocre race driver at best and the best example of that is her record in the IRL. The field in the IRL is very thin and if she were even above average there would be more than one win.
I have to look no further than Sam Hornish and Dario Franchitti for examples of exceedingly above average Indy drivers that did not fair so well in NASCAR.
Also, I have a MAJOR problem with the way that Danica is projected upon the fans by the TV networks, most notably ESPN. Just like Tiger Woods the lead story is with Danica's performance(or lack thereof) and not the true highlights, race champion or sensational racing. For example, one race earlier in the year Danica crashed and finished deep in the field, but her name and incidents were mentioned and completely analyzed before the race highlights. That is bogus in my opinion.
Danica, come on over to NASCAR full time. You will still have throngs of fans that don't know why they are cheering for you other than your are good looking. She can make people happy but I predict she will get her big check cashed and passed by the true racers.
Once she's done getting in every one's way, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jaime Mac (my favorite drivers) can reclaim the incident titles.
Peace and love,
Scott