Source: DanicaPatrick.com
Reports over the weekend suggest that Danica Patrica is considering a move to NASCAR under the guidance of Tony Stewart. The two-time Sprint Cup champion spoke to reporters at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Labor Day Classic, telling them, "I can pretty much guarantee at some point she's going to be over here."
ESPN cites an unnamed source "very close to the situation," who says Patrick's future involvement with NASCAR is all but certain. However, Patrick apparently will not give up Indy car racing and, at least next year, will limit her involvement to the Nationwide Series and Trucks to build up familiarity with the cars.
Juan Pablo Montoya, who hasn't had the easiest time in NASCAR since coming over from F1, has already gone on record with some friendly advice for Patrick.
"(The cars are) so different to drive," Montoya said in an interview with the Associated Press. "It's not the same feeling. When you drive an open-wheel car on an oval, you have the grip, you turn the wheel and it turns, you get on it and it goes and you get on the brakes and it stops.
"This (type of racing), it goes more with the momentum. You've got to give time to the car and you've got to get used to the feeling that you've got to go fast when the car doesn't feel right."
Although Stewart says Patrick is looking for a fun, new challenge, no one seems to be laboring under the illusion that lucrative endorsement deals aren't part of the attraction for the 2009 SI Swimsuit Edition model.
someguyposting says:
07:18 AM, 09/ 7/09
I guess I'm showing my colors here, but ...
As a racing fan, I will be disappointed if she moves to NASCAR. She seems fairly talented at turning in both directions. I'd understand, though - new challenge, more money, etc.
rsholland says:
09:44 AM, 09/ 7/09
Me too. I have zero interest in NASCAR.
hondacura4 says:
10:24 AM, 09/ 7/09
I never understood the overwhelming interest in Nascar since the cars are no longer production based.
altimadude00 says:
02:27 PM, 09/ 7/09
^More fan/media/sponsorship coverage.
Most Formula 1/Indy Car drivers are foreigners, and it looks like what they drive are fighter jets rather than what most people view as "cars." Also, I think the V8s in NASCAR sound better, or more of what people expect in engine noises rather than the Indy Car motorcycle-like whine of their engines.
However, that's just a guess.
canddmeyer says:
02:51 PM, 09/ 7/09
If Danica makes this move she'll screw up her career just like Sam Hornish did.
cwc1 says:
07:31 PM, 09/ 7/09
She sure doesn't look happy about it...
I don't quite get NASCAR either. I'd rather that the cars be at least somewhat based on stock cars, instead of just having the same body shape.
DCuerpoJr says:
11:08 PM, 09/ 7/09
NASCAR and Indy Cars are completely different beasts and the races themselves demand different skill sets.
She's been a decent (at best) Indy Car driver, but it'll take a few years for her to get the hang of NASCAR.
rallyandbosox says:
11:59 PM, 09/ 7/09
Until the new Ford engine earlier this year, NASCAR engines were basically the same pushrod engines from the 1970s, and are paired with four-speed transmissions that are almost just as old. On the other hand most every racing series continues to use modern technology which is an integral part of racing for manufacturers.
Although I believe Danica is way hyped, she does have more top 10 finishes in her career than many champions and more successful drivers showing that she is consistent if anything. However, she probably will not do well in NASCAR and will return to IRL within a few years if she is truly wanting to be a competitive racer rather than a paycheck chaser.
zoomzoomn says:
04:39 AM, 09/ 8/09
Danica is definitely smokin' hot! And she's a good driver, to boot. While I can understand her likely desire to go into NASCAR (resd: $$$), I doubt that those cars will be as entertaining to her. Stock cars are pigs to drive compared, well, to just about every other race car made!!!
rsholland says:
06:17 AM, 09/ 8/09
Not sure the move to NASCAR will, over the long haul, make her richer. Everything I've read recently indicates NASCAR is on the downhill slide. The track/TV audiences and advertising dollars are dwindling. I doubt it will be as big as it once was (unless it goes through some dramatic changes).
metalmania says:
10:23 AM, 09/ 8/09
These rumors keep persisting, so I'm sure she'll be there sooner or later. Personally I'd rather she didn't. I'd rather see her get a seat at Penske or Ganassi in the IRL. Not that she couldn't be successful in Nascar - she's a good driver - but how many have tried and not emerged from mid pack (and I mean consistent success, not the odd win and occasional top 10). And we're talking series champions and Indy 500 winners too: Montoya (not to mention his F1 success), Franchitti, Hornish. Montoya has finally got some momentum going, but it's taken a while to get there. The other guys are great drivers, Nascar is just a different animal that takes a long time to tame. Drivers who make the switch and succeed like Tony Stewart are the exception, not the rule.
firstwagon says:
11:34 AM, 09/ 8/09
To me NASCAR is like driving on the freeway in rushhour. A lot of cars travelling together in a big group with half the people trying to bully their way to the front and the other half just going with the flow.
Skill and entertainment value is about the same too.
inlinesix says:
05:26 PM, 09/ 8/09
NASCAR=lame