Danica Patrick returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend after a little hiatus.
The JR Motorsports driver will take the track at Michigan International Speedway in a paint scheme which is bound to make preschool boys drool and old men sigh.
Hot Wheels, the iconic toy car brand, will be the primary sponsor of Patrick's No. 7 Cheverolet for the CARFAX 250. The Hot Wheels crew specially designed Patrick's paint scheme which features the familiar red and orange Hot Wheels flames streaking across the hood and sides of the vehicle.
Car design aside, Patrick is hoping to improve on her 24th place finish at Chicagoland Speedway. But she'll have to do that in the new Nationwide car which last ran at Daytona in July (a race which Patrick's team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won).
"It’s going to be nice to get out there and run these new cars," Patrick said. "We’ve been talking about the new cars so much this year, and now I’ll get a chance to shake one down. JR Motorsports has put a lot of effort into its new car program, so I’m hoping we can get the most out of it in Michigan."
The TV Guide Magazine: NASCAR Special Collector’s Issue, is on newsstands now. The 88-page, special interest publication will be sold online and on newsstands for two months.
Capitalizing on the magazine’s 50-plus years of television content, this Special Collector’s Issue features unique content from NASCAR journalists, insider access, and the latest up-to-the-minute information and news features on NASCAR.
What will you find inside? Here's a sneak peek:
It’s Showtime! – Go behind the scenes of Showtime’s eye-opening new series, "Inside NASCAR". The new weekly series delivers fast-paced, inside-the-cockpit commentary from the sleekest set yet. Take a look at what’s in store and meet the all-star talent set for center stage.
Get With the Program – Season predictions from FOX, ESPN, TNT, SPEED, and BET’s on-air experts.
Catching Up With the Past – The NASCAR Hall of Fame salutes 60 years of legends, history and spectacular success on a road well-traveled. Get the first detailed look at the soon-to-open NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Leaders of the Track – Who are the top 25 best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racers?
Rush to Judgment – Get the latest road map to success in the 2010 chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. A graphic and statistical overview of each of the top 25 drivers in the Sprint Cup Series.
On Tracks – Take a look at the venues that power the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - each NASCAR track venue is featured along with maps and info.
Jr.’s Season on the Brink – Dale Earnhardt Jr. is driving to win again, and putting last year’s struggles in the rearview mirror. Here's what Dale Jr. and his fans expect this season.
Switching Gears – A look at the debut of Danica Patrick on the stock car scene. Can the Indy sensation generate the same heat in NASCAR?
Fans can purchase the issue at stores nationwide for $6.99. The guide is also available now on NASCAR.com’s Superstore for $7.99 or free with a $50.00 purchase.
For almost an hour, Junior answered fans' questions live, via the magic of cyberspace, about everything from racing strategy to his favorite food. And the entire time, this painting could be seen on the wall behind him.
I watched the chat, and I also watched lots of his fans submit questions via Twitter and AIM about that painting. What was it? Where could they get one? And so forth.
Unfortunately, those questions didn't make it to Junior's ears. However, after lots of Googling and a little elbow grease, I managed to track down the artist who painted the scene - Eric Soller - and discovered that fans can still purchase their own print of this same scene.
I found that Soller also does a lot more than paint the action in Junior's pit box. Read on to find out more about his life as a NASCAR artist and other paintings of his that are in the works.
How long have you been an artist and when and how did you get involved with NASCAR?
"I’ve been painting all my life. However, the past 25 years of my career have been in the graphic arts and advertising world providing illustration and design. I just recently changed directions and started building my painting career on a full time basis. I obtained licensing from NASCAR and the teams at the end of the 2009 season to produce limited edition Giclee prints of the paintings, so I’m now an 'Officially Licensed Artist of NASCAR'. I originally moved to Charlotte, NC in 2005 and was associated with another NASCAR licensee, but it ran its course. I started photographing images along pit road, and once I saw these images through the viewfinder, I was blown away. The artist in me thought they would make great images to paint, presenting a view of the sport that not many people get a chance to see."
Do you paint from photographs or from memory? Do you go to a lot of races?
"I paint from photo references I take, I try to be completely true and accurate to the sport. I typically work from several photos of multiple pit stops to get as much detail as possible into each painting. Each one takes quite a while to produce because I strive to fit in as much action and excitement as I can. Beyond the main focal point, I include everything, from the crowd in the stands, the cars racing off pit road to the line of other cars and teams down pit road as well as trying to capture the adrenaline of the crews. My paintings focus on the team aspect of the sport, where I try to show the athleticism and finesse of the over-the-wall team members. Last year I went to about 10-12 races. I probably won’t be able to attend as many races this year, but we’ll see, that’s what I’m shooting for."
Tell me about this painting of the Amp car. When did you paint it and which track is this from?
"This painting of the AMP car was created from photos I took at the March Atlanta race in 2008. The licensing process took me longer to get in place then expected, but now that licensing is complete, I plan on doing more paintings, if these sell. It’s tough because I’ve got to meet minimum guarantees to be able to continue, so it’s in the hands of fans right now and if they feel the prints are worth owning."
Do you have a favorite driver? What about a favorite racing memory?
"I really don’t have any favorite driver; I’m just a real fan of the sport and love a good race. One of the more memorable race experiences I’ve had was when I first staring shooting along pit road, there was so much to take in. I was shooting the cars as they were all coming in to pit. I had camped out in a location where pit road had a break in it, one of the driveways heading into the garages. I was kneeling down low to get a dramatic angle of the shot, and Tony Stewart’s pit stall was to my left, right after the gap in the wall. When he came diving into his pit stall, at the low angle I was positioned, I thought I was going to get run over. Through the viewfinder it looked as if he was coming right at me, and I know he couldn’t see me below his left front fender as he was diving into his pit stall. Thank goodness he’s got such good car control, he probably didn’t come that close to me, but through the camera’s viewfinder, perspectives are exaggerated, and it was a sight I’ll never forget."
Will you have new prints available this season - any new paintings planned?
"Yes, I do have new paintings planned for this year. I’m almost done with a painting of Mark Martin’s car and team from Bristol last year, during his 1000th race. If that gets licensed and approved, I hope to have it available soon. I’ve been offered the opportunity to paint Danica’s Nationwide car, so I’ll need to work through the licensing and approval details once completed and hope to have it available when she returns to New Hampshire in June."
Editor's Note: When I asked my buddy Heather to contribute a foodie post for NASCAR-ista, she was only too happy to oblige. After all, she's the creator of a fabulous blog called The Breakup Cookbook "Sauteing Your Way Back to Sanity." Be sure to check out her site and whether you're tailgating at the track or hosting an UnValentine's Day/Daytona 500 party, these yummy shrimp will strike just the right note!
By Heather Q.
Right around January 1st I kept seeing all these Facebook posts already proclaiming 2010 the best year in the history of years (which is good news if you're Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
I was inclined to believe it, mostly because 2009 was the worst year in the history of years. But the fact that the Daytona 500 falls on Valentine's Day leaves me dubious ... and I don't even have a boyfriend right now. (It ended in that blasted 2009.)
But in the spirit of taking lemons and making lemonade, I bring you a tailgating recipe to help make this Valentine's Day at the track, if not the most romantic, then one of the tastiest. And in honor of Daytona, Fla., I'm focusing on seafood. Specifically, a Tequila Shrimp that will turn more heads than Danica ever did.
This comes courtesy of my friends at Chow.com - their recipes are always 5-star. I've loved this one - as have those whom I've let share.
Tequila Shrimp Ingredients: 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium white onion, minced 4 medium cloves garlic, minced 40 medium uncooked shrimp (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, deveined, and halved lengthwise 1/2 cup tequila 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus extra limes for serving Pico de Gallo, for serving (optional) Guacamole, for serving (optional)
Directions: Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it shimmers, add onion and garlic, season with salt, and cook until translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat, add tequila, and scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any browned bits. Return the pan to heat. (If you want, carefully tilt the pan to ignite tequila.) Simmer until the alcohol smell has cooked off and shrimp are fully cooked, about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in lime juice, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste, adjust seasoning as necessary, and serve with extra lime wedges, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can take your fabulous Tequila Shrimp and add it to Jack Cheese and flour tortillas to make Quesadillas.
Directions: Scatter 1/2 cup of the cheese evenly over 1 tortilla. Using a slotted spoon, remove 1/4 of the Tequila Shrimp from their sauce, arrange on the tortilla, and drizzle with shrimp sauce to your liking. Scatter with another 1/2 cup of the cheese and top with a second tortilla. Repeat to make 4 quesadillas.
Heat a seasoned cast iron skillet or a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla and cook until the cheese melts and the bottom tortilla has a few golden brown spots, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottom tortilla has a few golden brown spots. Repeat for remaining quesadillas. Slice into quarters and serve. Bask in glory.
Despite the papparazzi-like coverage of her ascendance into NASCAR, her GoDaddy commercials of questionable taste and those body-baring photos which pepper the 'net, I might like Danica Patrick after all.
This was not the case as I entered the Daytona infield Saturday. Even while watching her No. 7 car roll past me on its way to the starting grid, I felt coldly indifferent in regard to Patrick's fate. After all, how could she possiblly live up to all that hype? Surely there were other female ARCA drivers (like Leilani Munter or fellow Floridian Alli Owens) who better deserved my respect and attention.
But Danica? I just expected her to hang in the back, get caught up in an early pileup, and hop out of the car to a mediocre finish.
I never expected I would actually start cheering for her.
But that's what happened. From my perch in the grandstands, I watched Danica hold her own at full speed, avoid the ARCA wreckfest and pull off a save in the tri-oval that would make even an inveterate Patrick-hater nod with grudging respect.
I guess there's something about seeing a fellow chick not "wussing out" that made me actually start applauding each time she drove by.
And I wasn't alone. Fans of all ilk and affiliation seated nearby jumped to their feet as she slid through the grass and hooted and hollered as she wheeled it back onto the frontstretch. And, as Patrick rolled onto pit road at race's end, she was treated to a standing ovation for her sixth place finish.
Danica passed the ARCA test. But, more importantly, she passed the fan test.
Given her debut, today's announcement that she has decided to run the Nationwide season opener this Saturday is no surprise. Sure, running with the Nationwide crowd will be bring a whole new level of challenges, but you gotta love a girl who's not afraid to play with the boys.
“Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do," Patrick said today. "The ARCA race was a blast, and I’m not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing.”
So do we. You go girl.
Photo info: Danica Patrick readies to race in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Arca Race at Daytona - Associated Press
With the Daytona 500 qualifying at 1 p.m., the ARCA race at 4 p.m. and the Bud Shootout at 8 p.m., yesterday was one long day at the track. But getting there early paid dividends, as the fan zone wasn't yet very crowded, nor was the garage area swarming with pass holders.
As this marathon day unfolded, potential storylines surfaced which could turn 2010 into one heckuva season. Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr's impressive qualifying runs and Kevin Harvick's second consecutive Shootout win are just the tip of the iceberg.
I'll post a few more stories in the next couple days - including an interview with esteemed NASCAR reporter Monte Dutton and my take on Danica Patrick (because it looks like she'll run the Nationwide race at Daytona after all).
Until then, enjoy the pix!
The Pace Car Camaros ready to go.
Aric Almirola's new No. 09 car in the garage prior to inspection.
The Blue Deuce of Kurt Busch on its way to inspection.
Danica Patrick's car on its way to the starting grid.
Kurt Busch hanging out post qualifying.
Mark Martin smiles and waves at the fans.
Zac Brown band rocks the stage before the Shootout.
Carl Edwards signs autographs after driver intros.
The newly engaged Kyle Busch visits with fans before the Shootout.
The news out of JR Motorsports is that Danica Patrick might run the Daytona Nationwide race after all. But then again, she might not.
Once again, the "will she or won't she" questions looms over Danica. This time the answer all hinges on her performance in the ARCA race the week before the Nationwide season opener.
And, although Patrick is the girl with all the hype, she's not the only girl who'll be taking the track during that race. Carbon-free girl Leilani Munter will also make her ARCA debut at Daytona.
Alli Owens returns to the series with Venturini Motorsports. And IndyCar series driver Milka Duno and Amber Cope (niece of NASCAR driver Derricke Cope) also plan to run in Daytona.
So hang on to your helmets race fans. Only time will tell which girl fares the best -and if Danica does well enough to move up her Nationwide debut.
Top photo: Danica Patrick talks to her Nationwide crew chief Tony Eury Jr.
Hard-core Marilyn Monroe fans might not cotton to a certain GoDaddy Superbowl ad. But then again, hard-core Monroe fans likely aren't the target market.
As part of the company's 2010 bowl ad blitz, Patrick channels Marilyn Monroe in an homage to what is arguably the most iconic movie moment of all time - the skirt blowing scene in "The Seven Year Itch." Not a bad re-creation of the dress, but couldn't Patrick at least have donned a blonde wig?
"Weird Science" and "Flashdance" also get the Patrick treatment in the new spots. But I'm highly disappointed that Mark Martin, who will be driving a GoDaddy paint scheme in 2010, wasn't included in this spate of ads. Couldn't you see ol' Mark playing Rhett Butler to Danica's Scarlett O'Hara? Or taking on Bogart in Casablanca?
Robert Richardson Jr. is what I'd call a NASCAR Renaissance Man. This self-proclaimed Elvis fan is a former college quarterback who also majored in studio art at SMU. Oh, and did I mention he hopes to run a full Nationwide schedule in 2010 for R3Motorsports?
Richardson will pilot the No. 23 Chevrolet beginning at Daytona (he has 18 races planned right now), and he'll also run a few races on the Cup side as well. We caught up with Richardson a couple days ago and asked him about everything from Danica Patrick to Tim Tebow. Here's what this up-and-coming driver had to say:
What are your goals for 2010 - I know you're hoping to run a full season in the Nationwide Series...
"I have always looked forward to a full season effort. I've always felt taking two to three week breaks in between races and splitting the seat with other drivers has always put a damper on my experience in a car. The more seat time we have, as drivers, the better and more experienced we become. But, without the support from our sponsors, we would not have been able to accomplish the goals we have, thus far, with R3 Motorsports."
What are your favorite tracks on the circuit and why?
"Talladega Superspeedway and Texas Motor Speedway are tracks that hit close to home with me. Texas was where my whole career started and where I earned my first win in a Late Model. Talladega is where I have always run well, and where I made my very first Sprint Cup Series start last year finishing in 18th place."
What are your long-term racing goals - where would you like to be five years from now?
"Well, every race car driver dreams to race in the Sprint Cup Series one day. But for now, I want to hone my skills a little bit more in the Nationwide Series before I make the leap of faith into the Cup Series full time. But, hopefully five years from now, I will be focusing more on running a full Cup schedule. If I feel I’m ready and we can do it properly, it could happen sooner, too."
You know I have to ask - what are your thoughts about Danica Patrick? Do you think all the hype surrounding her takes away from other, more worthy drivers in the Nationwide Series or do you even care?
"I think having her in the sport right now is something NASCAR needs to help put the fans focus back on the sport, and even our Nationwide Series. Although I have never raced against her or met her in person, I won't count her out on being competitive. If she brings the fire and intensity she had from IRL into NASCAR; people better watch out. "
Elvis' 75th birthday was last Friday and I know you're a huge Elvis fan. What's your favorite Elvis song and why?
"(Laughs) Yes, I am a HUGE Elvis fan. It's hard to pick just one song because I like so many of them, but one of my favorites is "Tiger Man" because it has such an upbeat tempo that makes you tap your toes every time I hear it and, occasionally, I’ll sing it while I'm in the car."
You've also got no small amount of football experience on your resume. I live in the heart of Gator Country. What do you think about Tim Tebow and his prospects in the NFL?
"I grew up a Gator fan because my mother’s side of the family lived in Florida. I used to watch the Gators when Danny Wuerffel was their star QB. I admired how he played and when I was in Middle School and High school; I looked up to his "style" of being a quarterback. But, I'm not sure what to think about Tebow in the NFL just yet. He's more of a mobile QB and runs a lot. Most of the NFL quarterbacks are 'stand back and pass' cookie cutter QB's. It will be interesting to see how he does, and see who will draft him."
How does your football experience come into play behind the wheel? Is there anything you learned on the field that has helped you on the track?
"Oh, absolutely. Hand- to-eye coordination was something I worked on a lot playing quarterback in school and having quick feet. You need those abilities while driving race cars, as well. Also, teamwork and creating that "get after their tail" attitude amongst your team is important. One thing I’m big on is having camaraderie with your team. That is, by far, the most important piece of the puzzle to have, in my opinion. Because when it's time to do battle; they will be beside you every step of the way."
No, you didn't misread the headline. Dale Earnhardt Jr. did win something this season - namely the Chex Most Popular Driver award - giving him seven wins total for this fan-driven honor.
“You look at Richard Petty and Bill Elliott and I’ve always felt that if you win this award once then you are in good company. I’m real proud of it," Earnhardt Jr. said when his win was announced. "The fans have hung in there and gave me one heck of a Christmas gift.”
Given the year the #88 team had, he's right. That proof of his continued fan loyalty had to be the lone high point in a valley-filled year. Struggling through two crew chiefs, multiple pit road issues and just plain bad luck, Junior's season seemed doomed from the start. And even though the team ran some better toward the end of '09, the black cloud that parked itself over the #88 car at Daytona didn't evaporate at Homestead - Junior's finishes were not indicative of a team that was on the right track.
If Dale Jr. doesn't come out of the gate strong in February, talking heads will likely point to Danicamania as one of the reasons why. The driver has often been accused of caring more about "his brand" than winning races - and the addition of Danica Patrick to the JRM fold certainly caused his company's marketability and sponsorship exposure to skyrocket.
Yet I predict that even if Patrick wrecks the entire field at Fontana and the #88 driver finishes in 30th place in every race in 2010, Junior will still walk away with an eighth most popular driver award next December.
Junior's likeability and resulting popularity with the fans isn't defined by his performance. That said, his future as a Hendrick Motorsports driver is - which is why the 2010 season could well be the most important year in Earnhardt Jr's career. Rick Hendrick has repeatedly said his focus will be the #88 team's performance - and he has intimated that he's ready to make whatever changes are necessary to get Junior performing as well as the rest of his drivers.
So hang on to your helmets. Whether Junior wins or loses, 2010 is gonna be one heckuva news year.
If today's media reports are true, Dale Jr. and company will make Danica Patrick's NASCAR wishes come true in 2010.
The long-awaited news broke today that the IndyCar star and erstwhile GoDaddy Girl will officially drive for JR Motorsports next year. The speculation is that she'll run a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series (about 12 races total) as well ARCA.
The official announcement will come tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST in Phoenix, and GoDaddy.com will stream the press conference live.
Though the potential Patrick/Junior partnership was one of the worst-kept secrets in all of racing, the offical word does lend a heightened level of anticipation to Daytona Speedweeks. Just imagine the papparazzi blitz that will descend on the infield when Danica makes her NASCAR debut.
And that's all well and good for now - considering how badly the sport needs ticket sales, television viewership and consumer dollars. But contrary to popular belief, this may not be a winner of a situation for Patrick. If she doesn't live up to the hype and show some promise early on, the "I told you so's" will commence and race fans will, once again, not take a woman seriously.
On the flip side, if she exceeds all expectations and starts out-racing the likes of Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and (dare I say it?) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. himself, that could come with its own set of problems. As my five-year-old nephew said when I told him there would be a female driver in NASCAR next year, "Boys don't like it when girls win, you know."
Yup, NASCAR is a man's world, Danica. And not even Dale Earnhardt Jr. can do anything about that.
To a NASCAR fan there are few things more annoying than 50 single file laps in a row or a 1-hour rain delay on race day. But bad television commercials during the race might just trump all grievances.
It's bad enough that there often seems to be more ad time than race time. But when those commercials are in ill taste or just plain annoying, well it makes this fan want to turn off the TV and turn on MRN.
Below are a few of the commercials I hope die a quick and painful death in the off-season - followed by my ideas for some ads that fans just might enjoy.
The Joey Logano/Home Depot spot: At the beginning of the season, this ad wasn't bothersome in the least. It was a warm, almost cute, way for Home Depot to welcome Logano into the sport's highest eschelon - and the cameo by team owner Joe Gibbs was an added treat. At least those were my thoughts the first 500 times the commercial aired. However, by mid-season, perhaps the time for hailing Sliced Bread's entree into Cup had ended. The same tired and outdated commercial even ran during Homestead. I'm all for showing a newbie a warm welcome - but 10 months of welcome might be a little much.
Tony Stewart Old Spice Swagger commercial - I can see why this commercial seemed like a good idea at the time. To be honest, the concept isn't terrible - the idea that Old Spice Swagger can transform Stewart from a phobic, asthmatic nerd into a driver who's smooth with the ladies. But every time I hear the boy in the ad start hyperventilating at the escalator, I think "this time, the kid's gonna collapse on the set and die." It makes my skin crawl. And it's not that I'm against children in NASCAR commercials. The 2007-2008 Mike Wallace Geico spots were sheer genius. Perhaps the folks at Old Spice should take notes.
Kevin Conway/Extenze - Seriously, does NASCAR need sponsorship so badly that it's willing to take money from a company which boasts Ron Jeremy as a former pitchman? Poor Conway is all I can say. Although he doesn't claim to actually use the male enhancement product on camera, the decals on his truck leave you wondering. And somehow I doubt he is assailed by fans at every track, who just want to tell him how much Extenze has changed their lives. Some things are best left to the imagination.
Castrol Edge Think With Your Dipstick - Yes, it gets your attention. Yes, the first few times you see it you are taken aback, almost uncomfortable and not sure whether you should laugh or look away. But in the end, the Scottish sadist running around whacking men with a dipstick is just plain obnoxious.
So now that I've skewered the ads that irritated me during the 2009 season, may I suggest a few commercials that might just be a pleasure to view? (Unless of course, they're broadcast while there's action on the track).
Juan Pablo Montoya for Taco Bell - I realize there may be sponsorship conflicts with such an idea, but what a way for Juan Pablo to make the most of Bob Griese's ill-conceived and politically incorrect comment. After all, a few days after Griese's suspension, Montoya even joked on Twitter that he was indeed going to Taco Bell for lunch that day. Talk about an opportunity for Taco Bell to "think outside the marketing bun."
Jimmie Johnson for Dos Equis - Johnson may not be viewed as "the most interesting man in the world" by every NASCAR fan, but he'd be the perfect mug for this beer brand's Hemingway-esque ad campaign. With the use of facial hair alone, Johnson can look smooth and suave or rugged and tough by turns. And with lines like "he lives vicariously - through himself," and "his blood smells like cologne," this current series of ads seems written for the four-time Champ who boasts a model wife, cool demeanor and testosterone-fueled talent (compilation video below).
Danica Patrick for Pantene - Yeah, yeah, I know Patrick may or may not be joining the NASCAR boys in 2010. But if she does, she'll have lots of gender assumptions to overcome. So perhaps next season (should Danica jump series) would be a good time for Pantene to re-introduce its popular "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful," ad from the 1980s. After all, Patrick has taken lots of flack for her good looks and body-baring photo shoots. Why not capitalize on it?
Carl Edwards for P90X - What better way for a gal to spend a Sunday afternoon than watching a race peppered by the buff Edwards lifting a few hundred pounds of iron? Next to Mark Martin, Edwards is arguably the fittest man in NASCAR - so I'm thinking this commercial should give us a look at his own personal workout routine (and a look at his abs wouldn't be unwelcome).
It's all over the Web - Danica Patrick will reportedly drive for JR Motorsports next year in the Nationwide Series (and maybe for KHI in the truck series as well).
From the moment ESPN's Ryan McGee broke the story, fans from Bangor to Birmingham have been opining both positively and negatively about Patrick's move to the NASCAR ranks.
I'm no IndyCar expert, and I sure can't speak credibly to Patrick's racing acumen. But I do have a request for Patrick as she makes her NASCAR debut: don't make us look bad.
It's gonna take a while for Danica to earn the respect of the NASCAR community. And she's just been handed a historic opportunity to show what a woman can do behind the wheel. Maybe if she follow these three little rules, Danica will find the transition to Nationwide just a little bit easier.
1. There's no crying in NASCAR - Lots of fans doubt if Patrick is tough enough to handle the rough and tumble world of stock car racing. I'm just hoping she doesn't tear up if things don't go her way (or even if they do). Women have a hard enough time being taken seriously in their chosen careers without bursting into sobs every time they get frustrated. And if the only woman on the track cries on camera, there goes any hope for our gender in the sport.
2. Hissy fits are not an option - In short, Partrick needs to leave the diva in the motorhome and exhibit some humility when she enters that Daytona infield. Respect the sport. Respect the other drivers. Show up with a visible appreciation for the history of NASCAR as well as an appreciation for the fans--it'll make your transition to the sport that much easier.
3. Keep the clothes on - Yes, Danica is drop-dead gorgeous and the male population would gladly cut off their right ear just for a chance to sweep her pit stall. But, in solidarity with her female counterparts, Danica needs to show those boys that she's more than just a piece of eye candy who can wheel a car. She needs to really impress them on the track. Be a tough competitor with an unquenchable fire to win. In short, give us more to talk about than just her cleavage.
If rumors are true, she may be partnering with either Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Michael Waltrip next year. But, in the meantime, you can find Danica Patrick this Sunday on ESPN. Racing fans can learn more about the Roscoe, Ill. , native in the Peak Performance Fast World of Danica Patrick, a 30-minute special program airing Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The program is an in-depth look at Patrick during the recently-completed IndyCar Series season, as told by her, and examines her life away from the racetrack.
Live Coverage of NASCAR Hall of Fame Announcement Wednesday
ESPNEWS will have live coverage on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. ET as the first five inductees into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte , N.C. , are announced. NASCAR Chairman Brian France will reveal the names of the first five in a news conference at the Charlotte Convention Center adjacent to the site of the under-construction Hall of Fame.
NASCAR Now host Mike Massaro will host the telecast with ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty. Following the news conference, more reports and analysis of the announcement will air on NASCAR Now at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
Kurt Busch hanging out post qualifying.
