The Danica Patrick super thread (Danica enters Nationwide Daytona)

[Dutton]

I just don't think she's good enough to have what one could call a particularly successful career with NASCAR.

Well, given long enough, she could probably get herself going pretty well in the trucks. Not setting the world on fire, but running quite well (she isn't an actively poor driver); Nationwide? Consistent top-20 runner, given long enough, is about the best I could see (but I wouldn't be putting any money on it); Cup? She will be gubbed week after week (aftter week.....). I just don't think she could be given long enough to be anything other than a rear-runner (simply not good enough).

Good luck to her, though. It'd be good if she could get it working for her.

[fieldodreams79]

Tony Stewart is the most successful "cross over" driver in the modern era (barring guys that went to racing stockcars right after they left Sprint cars). JPM and Ambrose are showing real pace. AJ, Speed and Hornish are not faring as well.

i really can't put DP in the same class as any of the above drivers.
i dunno...maybe she'll be stockcar natural.

[MJ_N_09]

Plans have been abandoned.


"Danica staying in Indy Car: Danica Patrick is now, officially, staying in the IndyCar Series. Patrick signed a three-year contract to remain with Andretti Green Racing during last weekend's event at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. She will continue to drive the #7 car with a Motorola-based sponsorship. Patrick could not be reached for comment Thursday night, but it is believed she has not resolved her options for driving a stock car in the future. Tony Stewart told reporters during last week's Sprint Cup Series race in Loudon, N.H., that he has "not made an offer'' to Patrick."


Well there were two sides of the coin. Danica basically told everyone that she struck a deal with Tony Stewart to run ARCA and Nationwide for him, but Tony himself said he never even offered her a deal, espicially since he has nothing to run in the lower levels.


How ridiculous! She's apparently a total liar or very pretentious. Did she honestly think that her ride would magically appear out of thin air? Apparently so. Not to mention that she refuses to comment on this now.

She pulled this same publicity stunt in 2006, and did it again now. Great job, she had me fooled.

[MJ_N_09]

Please disregard last comment. Negotiations still go on.

[muggle not]

I really look for the deal with Jr to materialize. It is a good fit. Kelley will work out something for the mutual benefit, she is a smart woman. I see Danica running some races next year for Jr in Nationwide.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

Please disregard last comment. Negotiations still go on.

can i disregard this one too?

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

I promise, this is the last update.

to add something to the discussion:

JR will welcome her open with arms.

let the ridicule begin.

[Knowlesy]

Unfortunate ordering of words there.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Unfortunate ordering of words there.

yikes...that's what happens when you multi-task.
can i be banned for a comment like that?

[MJ_N_09]

I'd prefer you not to, but it's Knowlesy's call.


Hmm, Danica in the #5 Boost Mobile(?) Chevy...We may not be too far off.

[MJ_N_09]

Danica and JR Motorsports/MWR? ESPN.com has confirmed that IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick is talking with JR Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing about running a limited schedule of about eight Nationwide Series races -- plus a few Truck and maybe ARCA events -- in 2010. Kevin Harvick Inc. could be a player. But sources say those aren't the only options as Patrick begins preparing for a potential NASCAR career after her IndyCar career is over.

[MJ_N_09]

This is important enough to post.

"Danica Patrick is nearing completion of a two-year contract with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and a source close to the negotiations described them as "in the final phase." The partnership is expected to make its on-track debut during next February's Daytona Speedweeks. Both the Patrick and Earnhardt camps declined comment. Patrick will compete in NASCAR's second-largest series for JR Motorsports while continuing to race full-time for Andretti Green Racing in IndyCar. Earnhardt and Patrick already have a corporate connection, in current sponsorship deals with GoDaddy.com. The Web site registration service is a sponsor on JR Motorsports' #88 Chevy, which has been earned four Nationwide Series wins this season with Brad Keselowski at the wheel. Keselowski is leaving the team at season's end to drive for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. GoDaddy.co, also recently signed on to sponsor Hendrick's #5 Chevy beginning in 2010. That car is currently driven by Mark Martin, who is signed through 2011.(ESPN)(11-4-2009)"


Edit: ESPN is reporting that this is confirmed!!!! What a perfect pairing. The 2 most overrated drivers together.

[fieldodreams79]

can't wait.

[JHamilton]

Wow. A juggernaut of mediocrity.

[MJ_N_09]

Thankfully, it's only 8 races next year in Nationwide.

[Chatters]

So much for an April fool's joke!!

[Chatters]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Wow, I was totally sucked in there.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

[R59]

She's going to do one of two things.

Fail dismally and walk away quietly.

Fail dismally and go kicking and screaming!

While she can give what she gets in open wheelers, it's a different world in NASCAR Nationwide, and I hate to say that I think it'll end in tears.

Though the PR will be worth every penny to the series!

[MJ_N_09]

This might be it....she will make some announcement Nov 30th.

[fieldodreams79]

*on pins and needles*

[MJ_N_09]

This is it. Merry X-Mas Fieldy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is entering the season opener for ARCA, and will be on GMA to make the official annoucement, likely about the Nationwide series.

[MJ_N_09]

More info.

"""Danica to make some sort of announcement UPDATE 3 and NNS suit image added: no idea what exactly it means, but GoDaddy.com, mentions on their webiste godaddy.com to check back on Monday, November 30th for a BIG announcement WITH Danica Patrick.(11-26-2009)
UPDATE: looks like the announcement will happen on ABC's Good Morning America. Also hearing that Patrick is entered in the ARCA race at Daytona in Februday.(11-29-2009)
UPDATE2: Danica Patrick signed a three-year deal with Andretti Autosport to remain with Go Daddy as Danica's primary IndyCar sponsor into 2012. Patrick originally signed with Go Daddy and Andretti's team in late 2006 and appeared in her first Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial the next year. At that time she was well-known as the first woman ever to lead during an Indianapolis 500 race. Since that time, Patrick won her first IndyCar race, as a Go Daddy Girl, in Japan, and starred as a Go Daddy Girl in the Most Watched Super Bowl commercial of 2009. The 2010 GoDaddy.com #7 car was officially unveiled before a national television audience of an estimated five million people this morning in New York City's Times Square. The sleek IndyCar should be easy to follow on the track next season given its bright green and orange Go Daddy design. At Danica's side for today's unveiling was Andretti Autosport team owner and legendary racer Michael Andretti, who served as Danica's race strategist last season. Meantime, rumors about Danica's racing future have had tongues wagging for months, but no confirmation on anything beyond IndyCar yet today.(GoDaddy.com)(11-30-2009)
UPDATE 3: Danica Patrick confirmed a sponsor deal to drive an IndyCar for the next three years on Monday -- and her plans to drive a part-time schedule for JR Motorsports in NASCAR's Nationwide Series in 2010 remain on track as well, a source close to Patrick said. That, according to the source, had to take place before she could finalize any plans in NASCAR. There was no mention on Good Morning America of her NASCAR plans, but the source said those could come within the next one to two weeks. The plan is to debut Patrick in the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway in February and earn approval from NASCAR to compete in the Daytona Nationwide race. Patrick is expected to run in 10 to 13 Nationwide events, with perhaps another ARCA race or two. The source said negotiations include putting Patrick in the #7 she drives in IndyCar and not the #5 that currently is the second car at JR Motorsports.(ESPN)
AND OOPS While IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick talked only about her non-NASCAR plans Monday morning, a photo on her Web site might have said more about her possible NASCAR plans than she did. The website had a picture of her as her Web site loaded that showed her in a GoDaddy.com uniform with a Chevrolet emblem and what appears to be a JR Motorsports logo and the Nationwide Series logo. The photo was later changed to her IndyCar Series uniform. The picture was small and only appeared on the screen for a few seconds. A representative of IMG, which represents Patrick, declined comment, and a JRM spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment (SceneDaily), many readers captured and sent the image, which is posted on my Misc Drivers page - Danica Patrick section.(11-30-2009)"""""

Well, If someone hates Danica, and are not happy with Nascar. This could be the final nail in the coffin for him/her. I, myself am thinking about skipping the races that she enters.

[fieldodreams79]

so with all that said, Andretti is either changing over the Chevy motors or Danica is driving for JR, but nothing "official".

i don't know how much longer i can wait.....

[number88won]

I don't know why she don't say nothing,but i bet you will see her in a arca car come feb.

[gomick]

Think that has already been said that she will do ARCA Daytona...

[MJ_N_09]

Finally confirmed.

"Finally? Danica to announce Nationwide ride? Tuesday? Danica Patrick will announce on Tuesday in Phoenix her decision to drive a part-time Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports in 2010. ESPN.com reported last month that Patrick was in the final stages of negotiations with JRM to compete in about a dozen races in a #7 -- her number in IndyCar -- Chevy with GoDaddy.com as the sponsor. The source said that has not changed. The GoDaddy.com sponsorship will be only for the races in which Patrick drives, sources said. JRM continues to look for sponsors for the #88 that will be driven by Kelly Bires and any remaining races for the second car. When Patrick announced her three-year extension with Andretti Autosport last week in New York a picture appeared on her Web site with her in a NASCAR fire suit bearing a JRM and other NASCAR-related logos. It quickly was removed [see the image - click here]. The plan is to enter Patrick in the ARCA Series opener in February at Daytona International Speedway and get her approved by NASCAR for the Nationwide [Daytona] race. ARCA owner Bobby Gerhart recently was contacted about putting Patrick in one of his cars for a Dec. 18-20 test at Daytona. He told ESPN.com on Monday he expected her to be in a car prepared by JR Motorsports at the test. "My gut feeling is I think she'll drive something out of Mooresville, N.C.,'' he said, referring to the location of JR. "That's what I'm hearing. It'll be that powerful of a program that that's the way it would go if that happens.''(ESPN.com and Associated Press)(12-7-2009)"