...agree with most of your points, but the stipulation is the heritage of passage by winning the NNS Race in Kentucky....lol. It simply has to be done here or she'll change tradition....and that's not allowed in NASCAR....lol....lets see, there was this young kid named Joey that quickly dominated ARCA, shot through NNS (still does some races there), and moved into the big show in less than a year.....hmmmm
....now the only way for this dream to work for Danica is if she comes to the Kentucky Motor Speedway and wins the thing....that's how David Gilliand and Joey Lagano made their official passage into Sprint Cup
....lets see, there was this young kid named Joey (who has a stock car background) that quickly dominated ARCA (only 2 career wins http://racing-reference.info/driver?id=loganjo01 hardly dominating), shot through NNS (still does some races there), and moved into the big show in less than a year.....hmmmm
....now the only way for this dream to work for Danica is if she comes to the Kentucky Motor Speedway and wins the thing....that's how David Gilliand and Joey Lagano made their official passage into Sprint Cup
Just trying to keep the record straight :)
Danica, in time, will do great and we'll probably see her in the Cup Series eventually. But being full time in any NASCAR Series won't happen for at least three years as she does have that three year contract with Andretti Motorsports in the iZod IndyCar Series.
But ...
We all know about contracts in racing.
I would very much like to see her win the Indianapolis 500 before her IndyCar contract is up.
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Feb 9, 2010
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SPEED coverage of the ARCA Racing Series season opener from Daytona scored a Nielsen Household Rating of 2.30 (1,723,000 households), a 59-percent increase over last year’s 1.45 (1,062,000 households). Highlighted by the stock car debut of Danica Patrick, race coverage peaked at 2.66 (1,997,000 households), up a stunning 72 percent from last year’s peak of 1.55 (1,137,000 households).
According to Nielsen Media Research, 2.4 million viewers tuned in to see the Saturday afternoon race, an 87-percent increase over last year’s audience of 1.3 million.
"The Daytona ARCA race always has been a strong performer for SPEED," said network President Hunter Nickell. "We expected a ratings bump from the ‘Danica factor,’ but this is much more than a bump. There is no question that her strong debut performance is great news for her, her team and everyone involved in the sport. She handled an intense amount of attention and drove an excellent race."
The Nielsen ratings, which positioned SPEED as the No. 1 network in basic cable during the time slot, were the highest ever for an ARCA race and rank only behind SPEED’s exclusive coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race as the highest ratings ever for the network.
Motor sports veteran journalist and SPEEDtv.com reporter Robin Miller agrees Patrick’s debut was a ringing success.
"For somebody who's been a Danica ‘tub-thumper’ the last decade, I was proud of how she handled everything and learned on the fly, but I wasn't surprised," said Miller, a long-time coverer of Patrick’s open-wheel career. "It might have surprised some people who think she's just a pretty face or a PR gimmick, but I hope they understand she's a good little racer. And people should keep things in perspective -- this was an ARCA race and Nationwide will be 10 times tougher. I think she needs to run the whole ARCA season and maybe a couple Nationwide races at the end of the season, but that's just me. I just know that for somebody who had never raced a stock car before, she did a damn fine job."Feb 9, 2010 -
....excellent article Mick
What's a "Tub-Thumper"? I'd go to Ask.com but they aren't playing the NASCAR game anymore.....Feb 9, 2010 -
Tub-thumper - a noisy, violent, or ranting public speaker.
Which describes Robin Miller to a tee. lolFeb 9, 2010 -
She's a good little racer? Is that supposed to be a compliment?
Tub Thumper=Windbag=Robin Miller (Just a personal observation, lol)Feb 9, 2010 -
....well, I'll have to keep those words in mind for future reference! Meaning, hey you so and so, you're a Robin Miller....I mean Tub Thumper....lolFeb 9, 2010
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I happened to read the sports section of the Winston Salem Journal this morning... and I was very surprised to read that they are just now catching up to what we have been discussing here on Infield since Sunday night!
Yes... Danica will race this Saturday in the NW Series... yes... Danica will create a lot of controversy... and yes... Danica will make some folks (Including her) some money!
My question to all you NASCAR FANS out there is this... Is Danica good for the sport? Should we (The Hard Core Fans) dismiss her as a passing fad? Is her influence and talent worthy of consideration in the depressed economic environment of today?
Will she make history as the first truly formidable female NASCAR driver? Did Dale Junior and Kelly do the right thing when they crafted the contracts that will bring her into our lives?
Let the comments ROLL!Feb 9, 2010 -
My question to all you NASCAR FANS out there is this... Is Danica good for the sport? She's definitely garnished some viewers from other sports last Saturday, by their taking the time to watch her last week in the ARCA race, thus getting SPEED increased viewership -- so I guess, YES
Should we (The Hard Core Fans) dismiss her as a passing fad? I think its to early to count her as just a fad
Is her influence and talent worthy of consideration in the depressed economic environment of today?
Believe we'll have to see how much she takes in merchandising this season....but as of right now, from what I've read -- she's selling quite well
Will she make history as the first truly formidable female NASCAR driver? NO. That role has already been accomplished by the likes of Louise Smith (back in the 1950s), but unfortunately very few fans of the sport remember her accomplishments.
Did Dale Junior and Kelly do the right thing when they crafted the contracts that will bring her into our lives?
Let's entertain this question again at some point mid-season!
Great points of interest Art, and it will be interesting to see what others post!
Stang
Feb 9, 2010 -
Hey Toad,
Great questions and the answers I believe depend on how committed she is in the long run to NASCAR. So my answers all ASSUME she will transition to full-time comprtition in the NEXTEL Cup Series in due time.
Danica is GREAT for NASCAR, she has the IT factor. Just name me one other driver in the IRL who comes even close to drawing the excitement she does. Her departure from the IRL would have the same effect as Tiger not golfing would have on the PGA.
I also believe she's in line to be in a Hendrick or Hendrick affiliated ride if and when she comes here full-time. So she'll have the best equipment, mechanics and pit crews in the sport. So, yes I believe she will be the first formidable female driver in NASCAR's mordern era. I for one would love to see her go head-to-head with "Rowdy" Bush!
And as I've stated eariler in this particular blog her limited participation this year is a shot in the arm for NASCAR and will hopefully carry-over through-out the entire season.
Feb 9, 2010 -
I hear yahh Jacker...
Rowdy 'n ahh bunch ahh others would never live down gittin' beat by ahh GAL!Feb 9, 2010 -
I hear yahh Jacker...
I hear ya boah!!
Rowdy 'n ahh bunch ahh others would never live down gittin' beat by ahh GAL!Feb 9, 2010 -
I think Danica is definitely good for NASCAR. She's brought new fans, more media attention and that means more revenue. And even thought most of the attention was focused on Danica in the ARCA race, it also gave some fans their first look at some of these young drivers.
I think we'll have to take the wait and see approach as to whether she's a fad but I think her ultimate goal is Sprint Cup. I also agree that if she makes it to that level, Hendrick will have a ride waiting for her.
She may very well make a considerable contribution & pave the way for more female drivers but Danica will have to earn her place in history.
Did Dale Jr. & Kelley make the right decision? I think they certainly made the right decision for JR Motorsports but only time will tell if it benefits NASCAR.Feb 9, 2010 -
I hope Danica does a great job so she can show those guys a girl can hang with the best of them. Jr. has faith in her and so do I. This one's for the girls...woooooo!!!!!!Feb 11, 2010
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I happened to read the sports section of the Winston Salem Journal this morning... and I was very surprised to read that they are just now catching up to what we have been discussing here on Infield since Sunday night!
Yes... Danica will race this Saturday in the NW Series... yes... Danica will create a lot of controversy... and yes... Danica will make some folks (Including her) some money!
My question to all you NASCAR FANS out there is this... Is Danica good for the sport? Should we (The Hard Core Fans) dismiss her as a passing fad? Is her influence and talent worthy of consideration in the depressed economic environment of today?
Will she make history as the first truly formidable female NASCAR driver? Did Dale Junior and Kelly do the right thing when they crafted the contracts that will bring her into our lives?
Let the comments ROLL!
I'll answer one now, and the others after tomorrows race.
Kelley and Jr. made the right more. She came with the most money, and in this economy that trumps talent.
After she mixes it up with several Cup guys in the Busch race, I'll address your othe
r questions.Feb 11, 2010 -
Danica will be good for the sport if she stays successful. There have been people who have had limited success in other forms of racing and very little in Nationwide but went on to do well in Cup. Like 4x Champ Jimmie Johnson. Tony Stewart made a successful transition i think. I watched the video of her spin from the in car and she did a phenomenal job of saving that car. Then she raced back to a top 10 by finishing 6th. that is a good job. Will she win races and compete for championships? Possibly. She has shown the right attitude to approaching stock car racing. Start low and small and build from there. If she keeps that attitude, she will do well. If she does keep this up, i'll be a fan for sure.Feb 11, 2010
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I think Danica coming to nascar is good for the sport we needed something to help boost things up ..I can't wait to watch her in the nationwide race on saturday will not be missing that ..I think Dale Jr. and Kelly did a good job in hiring her to drive she will do them proud and she will be competitive for sure and compete for wins and all ..She is gonna have her hands full in the nationwide with so many cup guys to compete against but I think she will show them what she is made of ..I think it will be fun to watch her she was so good in the arca race and now we will all see come saturday night ..enjoy all the racing from daytona everyone ..see you all at the finish line ..lolFeb 11, 2010
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How about 5th fastest in Nationwide happy hour!
She ran in packs, she drafted, she once again provided great feedback.Feb 11, 2010 -
Hey I'm already planning on buying my little girl Danica stuff. Can't wait to see what she does with this.Feb 11, 2010
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How about 5th fastest in Nationwide happy hour!
She ran in packs, she drafted, she once again provided great feedback.
Someone just asked me what would happen if Danica won the NW race, would it be bigger news than the Daytona 500 winner. Didn't know what to say but wow, it just might get more headlines.Feb 11, 2010 -
How about 5th fastest in Nationwide happy hour!
She ran in packs, she drafted, she once again provided great feedback.
Someone just asked me what would happen if Danica won the NW race, would it be bigger news than the Daytona 500 winner. Didn't know what to say but wow, it just might get more headlines.
It would be massive for sure. But to me, only a highly remote possibility.
I'm thinking that if she finishes it'll be a top-15 and I think she'll be happy with that.Feb 11, 2010 -
How about 5th fastest in Nationwide happy hour!
She ran in packs, she drafted, she once again provided great feedback.
Someone just asked me what would happen if Danica won the NW race, would it be bigger news than the Daytona 500 winner. Didn't know what to say but wow, it just might get more headlines.
It would be massive for sure. But to me, only a highly remote possibility.
I'm thinking that if she finishes it'll be a top-15 and I think she'll be happy with that.
I was at a loss for words, never even considered the possibility that she could win the NW race.Feb 11, 2010
Reply To: Danica Patrick Debuts at Daytona & Quiets Critics
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