Danica Patrick holds the power

[Are_grits_groceries]

Story Highlights
Danica Patrick's presence now affects the futures of both NASCAR and IndyCar
She's called Nationwide's hope and the undoing of all IndyCar gained with her help
Bobby Rahal, Terry Angstad and Steve Phelps say her popularity will help both
<snip>
But right there, three clicks into Angstadt's video display, a 105-pound gorilla displayed just how much power she has in affecting the futures of both NASCAR and the IndyCar Series.

Under the "brand attributes" list was a massive mug of Indy's most popular driver, media dynamo, and -- three hours later -- official member of NASCAR's JR Motorsports Nationwide Series team for part of the next two seasons at least. Danica Patrick, who made her announcement in Phoenix, can own a room from a half continent away.

She is the image, the marketing tool, the symbol of mainstream potential that will not be suppressed. Her power and her ambition assure that. She has been rather absurdly called the salvation of the Nationwide Series and blamed for being the possible undoing of all that the Indycar Series has recouped in the last few years with her assistance. All this before she ever takes her first laps in a stock car in seven years; even before she determines if she has the skill or the appetite for it.

But Patrick, all five-foot-nothing, overly-firm-handshake and tough-chick demeanor, creates a wave and a wake. Within the darkened room of that Orlando Hilton, four men with a personal interest in that ambition or a vested interest in her future, sat within feet of each other, discussing, debating separately the business of motorsports that she is so certain to impact for the next several years. They were, in effect, the ghosts of Danica past, present and possible future.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brant_james/12/16/danica.patrick/index.html?

She could be a complete bust, but that remains to be seen. I hope she takes her time and learns the difference from open-wheel racing. She's with a good team.
She's rocking the racing world.

[FourScore]

1. Go Danica! n/t

[Richardo]

2. God that's some horrible writing. But go, Danica!

:thumbsup:

[NNN0LHI]

3. I find watching cars going around in circles pretty damn boring

Now Figure-8 racing? That is a horse of a different color. Those get me out of my seat. Makes me wish I still lived in Indy. I spent a lot of Friday nights and Sunday afternoons at the Speedrome with my wife and kids when they were young. Boy we had a blast. We still talk about it.

http://www.speedrome.com/

Watch it:

http://www.spike.com/full-episode/figure-8-world/32821

Don

[ieoeja]

8. "Go left!" "Go straight!"

I so want to get a bunch of guys in two groups to invade a NASCAR bar. One group rooting for left turns. The other rooting for straight-aways!

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. Nascar has 2 road-course tracks

at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. Those test the drivers in a different way even though they aren't figure 8s.

If you want some edge of your seat racing, watch Talledega and the other Superspeedways. The drivers don't like those tracks because of restrictor plates.

[TheMightyFavog]

75. They need more road courses.

What about a race at Road America, Mosport, Mid-Ohio, or the Belle Island course?

[liberal_at_heart]

4. She's a sell out

She's known more for undressing than she is for winning races.

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. She's as good a racer as a lot of others

on the circuit. She hasn't broken through to the Kanan, Franchitti, and Hornish level but a lot haven't. In addition, if the male racers thought anyone would pay to see them with less clothes, they would shed them in a heartbeat.

[Ready4Change]

26. Mostly agree, but of mixed mind on that.

I am disappointed at the extent to which she's allowed herself to be presented as, in effect, a hood ornament girl. I think her racing skills are good enough that she could have a fine career and make good money without dipping that low.

On the other hand, her good looks ARE an asset in todays racing media frenzy. I think there are a couple of NASCAR drivers who have sponsors largely because their good looks attract the pre and post race cameras. So I've no problem with that.

But bikini shots? What does that have to do with racing? Where are sponsors going to put a logo? The less clothing she wears in a photo shoot, the less respect I have for her as a race car driver.

[Are_grits_groceries]

31. I'm not fond of that.

However, as I said, if male drivers were able to capitalize on the same thing, they would do it.

[Subdivisions]

66. This post is no good without pics. n/t

[postulater]

5. When they start racing in hybrids, maybe I'll watch.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Do you realize the automotive technology in reference to safety and efficiency NASCAR

has created?

[postulater]

18. No, I don't. How have they contributed to efficiency?

[Captain Hilts]

23. Performance vs. fuel economy. Adapting fuel injection technologies from the military for automotive

use.

They want as much fuel economy for power as they can get. The fewer times they stop to refuel, the better.

I know a NASCAR mechanic and it's actually interesting stuff.

[postulater]

28. Does that really translate to improvements in the car on the street?

[Captain Hilts]

33. Oh, yes. I drive a 1974 Merc Capri and then an 89 Olds now a VW Passat.

The progress in lower maintenance is amazing and the fuel mileage and performance has gotten better with each.

Fuel injection eliminates carburators, which were maintenance nightmares and usually inhibited tighter and more efficient control over fuel use. Crappy or poorly-maintained carburators really hurt fuel mileage. Racing brought platinum spark plugs - which are much better - to standard cars, etc.

[truebrit71]

41. Um, they use carburetors in Nascar...how else would the restrictor plates work?

They are switching, or thinking of switching, to FI in 2011 iirc..

[Romulox]

56. Nor has *VW* ever run a car in NASCAR.

:eyes:

[Captain Hilts]

59. No shit, Sherlock, but if you don't understand how NASCAR has made your car

more efficient and safer, then I can't help you.

It's like saying NASA and the military haven't enhanced the technology you use.

And I don't use stupid icons to express myself.

[Romulox]

67. Face it; what you said made no sense on a couple levels.

:hi:

[EOTE]

68. You haven't provided a single example.

And in case you weren't aware, NASA is a government organization, NASCAR is not. Sure, a very small amount of advancement in chassis and suspension tech has come out of NASCAR, that is inevitable. But the bulk of NASCAR uses very old tech. If carburetors were still used in cars today, NASCAR would probably be leading the nation in carburetor tech. But considering that the last carbureted cars left showroom floors around 20 years ago, NASCAR is using a Commodore 64 while the rest of the autosports world has moved on into the 21st century. I'm still waiting to hear about the wondrous fuel injection tech that NASCAR has adopted from the military.

[Captain Hilts]

58. True. But the research they and their sponsors do all ties in. nt

[meow2u3]

62. What IS a restrictor plate?

I'm a NASCAR ignoramus.

[EOTE]

65. A restrictor plate is connected to the intake.

and it basically limits the amount of fuel and air going to the engine. Kind of used to create more of a level playing ground and it can be used for safety purposes too.

[A HERETIC I AM]

74. Here;

They look like this;


They mount between the carburetor and the intake manifold;

[EOTE]

63. If NASCAR is so big on efficient fuel injection, why are they still using carburetors?

Are ANY current military vehicles carbureted? Also, why aren't they experimenting with diesels like F1 and the Audi R10? Why is it that we have production cars now with similar specific outputs as NASCAR engines while no stock vehicle engine can touch an F1 racer in terms of specific output? It seems to me that NASCAR has its feet planted firmly in the past when it comes to technology.

[alfredo]

47. LeMans and Formula1 have gone Diesel and Hybrid.

The clean Diesel technology seen at Lemans is showing up in the showrooms across the world.






The Kers system seen in the 2009 F1 season will soon be seen in Nascar.

[Lint Head]

6. She rocks my world!

[Myrina]

9. ... she'll be in last place just like Hornish and Ashley Judd's husband did ...

... when they've tried to run Nascar.

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. Or she could

work through her early days, and be like Juan Pablo Montoya. He had a lot of rough spots, but he has become a very good NASCAR racer.
Edit: Smoke has welcomed her, and I don't think it's because of her looks. If he didn't think she had the chops too, he wouldn't be playing nice.

[Myrina]

60. possibly, but aside from Montoya and Marcos Ambrose ...

... open wheel racers don't seem to have alot of luck in stock cars.

[Zomby Woof]

69. Juan Pablo Montoya did VERY well this season in NASCAR

He was in the Sprint Cup chase, and ranked #8 for the season.

As a fan of both NASCAR and IndyCar racing, as well as an advocate of women's equality, I WELCOME Danica to the Nationwide Series!

[Captain Hilts]

10. She's actually a good driver. Good luck to her. nt

[Iggo]

13. She's a racer. I like her. (n/t)

[boomerbust]

14. Danica

Whiner

[FarCenter]

15. NASCAR has over-saturated its market and is on its way out

[Are_grits_groceries]

20. Dream on.

They may have to retrench and return to their earler circuits somewhat. They will always have a base in the older areas where they first started.

[Romulox]

22. All of the Big 3 are dropping their sponsorship. Maybe Hyundai wants to race NASCAR?

:shrug:

[Are_grits_groceries]

24. Toyota proved it could compete

when the Gibbs team won races with them. People who are true NASCAR fans will spend their last dime there.

NASCAR isn't dead by a longshot. They will have to adapt, but they have done it before.

[Romulox]

27. Unless Toyota wants to race against itself, NASCAR going to have find new sponsors...

GM isn't threatening to withdraw its support. It's done.

[FarCenter]

51. How important are the Big 3 to NASCAR?

The cars are largely hand built. There is really not much from the manufacturers but perhaps the engine blocks?

Couldn't they all use Toyota engine blocks?

I believe that they all use Ford truck differentials. It appears from post 16 that they use Chevy transmissions?

[Romulox]

55. LOLs. It's impossible to take this post seriously. nt

[A HERETIC I AM]

73. Why?

Why is it "impossible to take this post seriously"?

What part of it do you disagree with?

[jmowreader]

57. They use Jerico transmissions

They may have used Chevy transmissions once, but the big deal with the Jerico is if you want to change the gear ratios in the transmission, there's a lid on top of it. Open the door over the transmission, take the lid off, pull two pins and the gear cluster lifts out in your hand.

[DainBramaged]

30. Uh I don't think so, like most sports they will reinvent themselves

And if you care to notice, their popularity OUTSIDE of the South is where their strength and growth will be.


Do you know where FOUR time consecutive champion Jimmie Johnson comes from? Kyle Busch? Tony 'Smoke' Stewart? Jeff Gordon?


A hint, they aren't from da Souf......

[Are_grits_groceries]

34. I know that.

They are midwestern or California drivers. There has been good dirt track and short track racing there forever. However, NASCAR needs to be careful. Their growth may come from other areas, but their base is still da Souf. There is room for growth there too as the population expands. The drivers are located in that region from Talledega to Dawsonville to NC.
The ones who want to move up end up there. The major teams are headquartered in those areas.

[Gold Metal Flake]

16. NASCAR is beige...

The Chevy enguine is a copy of the Ford Cleveland, the Fords now have to run Chevy bell housing bolt patterns. the body all look the same, the factory frame base was abandoned years ago. IROC. Snoooore.....

[Are_grits_groceries]

36. They are all having to work with COTs.

They need to be good racers, but they need good cars too. Junior hasn't set the world on fire, but having an engine blow in a lot of your races won't help.
However, if he can't make it with Hendricks, there is a problem which has pretty much been evident before. He is Earnhardt however.

[Romulox]

19. Danica Patrick? Isn't she that lady from those porno commercials?

I don't watch NASCAR, so :shrug:

[Are_grits_groceries]

21. Meh!

The google is your friend.

[Romulox]

25. Second hit after searching "Danica Patrick Porn"

This is what I (and likely most people) best know her for:

http://www.adrants.com/2009/05/danica-patrick-reluctantly-lives-out.php

[Are_grits_groceries]

29. WTF did you expect when you added porn?

Google other drivers or people with porn added. Google Danica Patrick without it and see the results.

[Romulox]

32. I expected Danica's racy commercials to pop up. Link to Danica's godaddy.com "shower cam"

:shrug:

http://www.spike.com/video/go-daddy-danica/3104826

[Are_grits_groceries]

35. If you go looking for porn or

what somebody labels porn, then add porn to your search. You have a good chance to find it. Look for her under her name, and you will find a lot of other things.
Thanks ever so much for the link. You shouldn't have. Such a gentleman.......

[Romulox]

37. These aren't fakes though. They star the woman who is the subject of the OP.

How do you square your discomfort at Ms. Patrick's endorsement work with the OP?

"Such a gentleman......."

I haven't a clue what this has to do with anything. I posted as I did because my sister asked me about those commercials a few weeks ago, and was flabbergasted to learn 1) Danica Patrick is a race car driver, not an adult star; and 2) godaddy.com is a domain registry site, not a porn site.

/true story

:shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

38. David pearson would never have made commercials like that.

Real stock cars

[Are_grits_groceries]

40. David Pearson was in a completely

different era along with a brazillion other racers. I think Curtis Turner would have done it if he had half a chance. Curtis and Joe Weatherly were up for anything.

Those racers were not anything like the polished mannequins we see today. They have scrubbed all the character and quirks out of them. Smoke is about the only one that comes close to the older racers anymore. Kyle Busch is not that bad either.

I like the stories and people in racing. They are becoming less and less interesting as NASCAR 'cleans' its image.

[Are_grits_groceries]

42. The fact that she makes some commercials I may not care for

doesn't obviate the fact that she can race. I state again that if a male driver could capitalize on a commercial of that type, they would do it in a heartbeat.

Junior makes commercials for jeans, but they are G rated because I doubt if he cares to try to flaunt his physical assets. I like Junior, but he knows a limitation.

"Such a gentleman..." was an old comment used in older jokes I guess.

[The Straight Story]

44. That's not porn, if you want porn go to x hamster

:rofl:

[Romulox]

50. Umm, no thanks.

I didn't say it was "porn", but searching "danica patrick porn" brings my links right up.

[MyNameGoesHere]

52. Holy heck.

You consider that porn? I guess i am going to hell then.

[Romulox]

54. One more time, but slower: "Danica Patrick Porn" yields those hits on GOOGLE

Google is a search engine that uses machine algorithms to link content to search terms. Nothing to do with what I consider porn. One more time--it has to do with google search result strings.

Does it make sense to you now? :eyes:

[MyNameGoesHere]

72. Nope

someone equating that to porn and then advertising it here makes no sense. Get the point?

[Romulox]

76. Oh dear. nt

[truebrit71]

39. Danica is a 3rd-rate driver who is never to blame when things go wrong, but looks good in a bikini..

..so she gets a pass...there are far, far better female drivers out there, far more deserving of the support and press coverage, but they don't strip to their undies for photo-shoots, so no-one cares...

I hope she sucks as bad in NASCRAP as she did in the Inferior Retirees League...

Princess Sparkle-Pony is gonna learn real quick that the foot-stomping permapout routine ain't gonna work in NECKAR...

[Are_grits_groceries]

43. Doesn't sound like you like much about racing

including Danica. NASCRAP, Inferior Retirees League, NECKAR? Whatever.

There are other female drivers who deserve more support. However, Danica manages to handle herself pretty well for a '3rd rate driver.'

Danica doesn't whine anymore than Carl Edwards or Kevin Harvick. In addition, they take out their frustrations trying to fight with their helmets and HANS devices on. That's as silly as foot-stomping. She does need to find another way to express herself, but she'll either learn or be laughed off the track.

[truebrit71]

45. I have been watching motorsports since I was knee-high to a grasshopper...

..I have seen the truly GREATS race around the world, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Ronnie Peterson, Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell etc etc etc, so no your assumption about me is completely wrong..

Princess Sparkle Pony "manages" her public personna through agents, her driving skills are mid-pack at best...

Now I have to ask if YOU actually watch the sport, Carl Edwards whines more than Danicles? In what alternate universe?

She's a side-show joke, and does a great disservice to other female drivers with her antics and her "image" as a pin-up...

[Are_grits_groceries]

46. I have listened to Edwards.

Men are never said to be whiners even if they are.

You have seen some of the greats in Graham and Lauda among others. I didn't see that much of their racing, but I do keep up.

Do you care at all for NASCAR? You seem to have no truck with any of them being great racers. I'm sure you will tell me if I am wrong. Junior Johnson and David Pearson are just 2 who I think are great in their own right. Johnson also as a car owner and mechanic.

I may be guilty of seeing Danica in too positive a light. However, you seem to dismiss her altogether. Could your judgement of her racing be colored by her career tactics? I know I don't give Jeff Gordon the credit he deserves because he personally irritates me. I have to remind myself of that.

[truebrit71]

49. Jeff Gordon is called a whiner constantly isn't he? Same thing with Tony Stewart...

I enjoy watching NASCAR, but only on the bigger tracks...the one-milers are just too small...I love the Superspeedways, Talladega especially, and it is always good fun watching these guys trying to heel-and-toe and turn RIGHT as well as left on the road courses...I don't think there's as much skill involved as there is in Formula One or ALMS, but the racing can be quite entertaining...

I just think that Danica is mediocre at best, and has risen as fast as she has due to her looks, and not her talent..and I find that very annoying...

[MyNameGoesHere]

53. Oh really?

Is 5th rank middle now? I can spout names to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danica_Patrick#2009 bottom of page

[truebrit71]

61. Take a look at the competition...not exactly world class...

...she is running against a bunch of has-beens and never-will-be's...in a crappy car, and bullshit tracks...

Get back to me after she's won at Monaco, or Spa, or Le Mans or any other track that involves RIGHT TURNS...

[MyNameGoesHere]

71. well she had

accomplished more than you at racing so i will leave it at that.

[Zomby Woof]

70. She moved up in the Indy rankings each year

Into the top 5 in fact. Improving every year since she lapped at the Indy 500. So no, there aren't better women drivers out there.

I can't help but think there is a whiff of sexism behind her detractors. Men protesteth too much about her racing it seems.

[Blue_Tires]

48. eh...i just can't get that much into nascar anymore...

i understand the marketing and endorsement reasons behind it, though; but to me REAL racing is open-wheel :bounce:

[Bucky]

64. She's like the Tiger Woods of NASCAR

I probably shouldn't have said that