Okay, maybe that’s overstated, or just premature. But after the article in USA Today referring to Queen Danica as a “falling star”, questions are being asked and she’s doing her best to field them with vague answers. Earlier in the year when reporters asked the same questions about her absence in Go Daddy ads, she reportedly “blew them off”, but now she can dodge them no longer.
She’s yet to even run her first full year at the top level of NASCAR and already there are whispers that she may be about done racing. As another reporter said, “Beauty only lasts so long. When it’s gone, you’d better have done something else to prove yourself. She hasn’t.”
At the core of the recent questions is the change in advertising agency for Go Daddy, and the very conspicuous absence of Danica in the ad campaign. If the company had opted to go a whole different direction, it may be understandable that she wasn’t in the commercials. But since the message is virtually unchanged (“Look! We have half-dressed sexy women for you to look at!”) and she is left out, it seems more that she’s been replaced than merely the victim of a change in direction for the company.
And this is where the story of Danica Patrick takes a turn. She’s ridden the wave of superstar all the way into NASCAR even with a lackluster performance in IndyCar racing, and virtually no results at all in stock cars. Go Daddy has been her free pass as she had her choice of teams from the many who courted her (and her big-money sponsor). But did that help or hinder her? Could Danica have been a better driver if she’d had to post real results in order to keep her sponsor? Think about how many drivers, under threat of losing their ride or sponsor, suddenly found themselves with a string of solid top-fives and a victory thrown in for good measure. Did their equipment suddenly improve, or did they tweak their attitude and dig a little deeper with a sense of urgency?
Could it be that Danica has simply never had to be good? From the beginning, she’s had a sponsor who cared only that she was pretty, not that she could win races. I wonder how that shaped (or handicapped) her racing success. Now, at 30 years old, she may be soon be facing life as an unsponsored driver having to find another company willing to throw money at her race team in the absence of any real success
That is true, but not all of them have been given the best equipment, with a proven crew chief and endless funding.
They also don’t walk around with their nose up in the air when they have no right to do so. Danica thinks her crap doesn’t stink, and she has done nothing to earn competitors respect…especially with the move she made at Kansas and took herself out of the race.
The thing that stinks the most is that there is plenty of other talent waiting for their opportunity, and she is too busy taking for granted what anyone else would give anything for.
[QUOTE=racin24dev;114473]That is true, but not all of them have been given the best equipment, with a proven crew chief and endless funding.
They also don’t walk around with their nose up in the air when they have no right to do so. Danica thinks her crap doesn’t stink, and she has done nothing to earn competitors respect…especially with the move she made at Kansas and took herself out of the race.
The thing that stinks the most is that there is plenty of other talent waiting for their opportunity, and she is too busy taking for granted what anyone else would give anything for.[/QUOTE]
Do I detect a touch of jealousy there young one ? Payback is common in this sport and why should it be any different for her ? Do you think less of any other driver that has done the same ? Have you ever put a bumper on someone intentionally ?
Yeah, but there are certain times and WAYS to do so. There is a difference between “Putting the bumper on someone” and “wrecking someone”. I understand that payback is very common, I’ve been the giver, as well as the reciever when it comes to that.
And yeah, I will admit, there is a little bit of jealousy, and I’m sure you can ask any person whose dream is to make it in racing, and they will most likely tell you the same thing. It’s all about making the best of the situation you’ve been given.
[QUOTE=UREZ2PASS;114476]How to loose fans and opportunities 101.
Talk negative about other drivers and their die hard fans and friends will not support you.
Students, Class is now complete. Homework assignment, write “I will not bash Danica” 100 times on a sheet of paper.
All Joking aside, be careful how you handle public relations.[/QUOTE]
I don’t see how saying something about Danica Patrick would really affect the opportunities that I have. I think the way I handle myself is just fine, I don’t see anything wrong with me voicing my opinion about a worldwide known racecar driver that could care less what I have to say.
[QUOTE=racin24dev;114477]I don’t see how saying something about Danica Patrick would really affect the opportunities that I have. I think the way I handle myself is just fine, I don’t see anything wrong with me voicing my opinion about a worldwide known racecar driver that could care less what I have to say.
No harm, no foul; all is good Mr.Ez![/QUOTE]
It’s all good. I see your points and they are valid. However, racefans listen to everything drivers say about other drivers, sponsors, and teams. It’s a delicate balance in the PR world.
Yea, but the vast majority agree with him - so I would dare say he raised his stock on this one. The question for you EZ is what are you going to do with all those godaddy panties after this year?
How long did it take Kyle Petty to get it together? How about Michael Waltrip? They both came in at the top and had good equipment (in its day), yet it took several years for both of them to get on top on their game. I hope she sticks with it, makes herself successful, and helps our sport in the process. In case you haven’t noticed, NASCAR needs a big drawing card.
Here is a quote from a friend who will go un-named: “She should forget about driving and go straight to porn, THEN I would be her fan.”
[QUOTE=Boneman;114482]How long did it take Kyle Petty to get it together? How about Michael Waltrip? They both came in at the top and had good equipment (in its day), yet it took several years for both of them to get on top on their game. I hope she sticks with it, makes herself successful, and helps our sport in the process. In case you haven’t noticed, NASCAR needs a big drawing card.
Here is a quote from a friend who will go un-named: “She should forget about driving and go straight to porn, THEN I would be her fan.”[/QUOTE]
Come on now - you are holding out Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip as examples of people who were successful? I would dare say they were both infiinitely more successful outside of the racecar than in it. Which perhaps was your point after all with her?
I am all for the media circus affect she has and the bump it will give NASCAR - but my guess is most people are waiting for that turd to quit circling and flush already.
Go to ultimateracinghistory.com and look at Danica’s CAREER stats, going back to her days racing in Europe… Some stats are incomplete but the fact of the matter is she has just one major victory - in Japan (2008) driving an Indy Car - and that was done on fuel mileage calculation… She has a good Nationwide ride but the Earnhardt team car #88 has had no more success than she has, so I think the team itself needs a boost and that may come in the form of Regan Smith next year…
On the other hand you have Johanna Long who has done wonders with an underfunded team and has outqualified Danica several times… Johanna has also won more races, not at a “National” level, but still against some of the best LM competition in the country including the Snowball Derby… It would be interesting to see what she could do with a top-flight team…
[QUOTE=Woody;114478]one thing for sure is the young lady is making a good living racing cars good for her[/QUOTE]She’s racing? Seems to me, with the “good equipment” she’s got, the results’d be a little better. Seems more to me like she’s been “ridin’ and wreckin’”. She hasn’t even had a top-TWENTY finish all year long.
That deal with Cassill this weekend? He put a door to her, if ya even wanna call it that (I only seen the replay once); they were “racing”, for what, 30th place? She just got pissed that “someone would do that to her”, and tried “to put a bumper to 'im” goin’ into the corner, and ended up takin’ 'em both out - yet again.
She may be “making a good living”, but it ain’t from “racing”.
And yes…I do understand that there’s a difference between learning these “new-fangled cars” and actually driving - or better yet, RACING these things.
Ol’ Harry said once, “When you was runnin’ Indy cars, the cars weighed half as much, and the tires was twice as wide. Now, the car weighs twice as much, and the tire’s half as wide, and you’re burnin’ 'em up!” Ya can’t finish a race if ya ain’t got a whole race car, let alone win one.
Still say a team - even Finch - needs to take a look at Johanna Long. She’s proven she can run good, even with second-rate equipment.
According to some of you racing knowledge experts, the following drivers should NOT be racing Sprint Cup due to statistics.
They all have ZERO top 10 finishes and more starts than my beloved Danica.
Choke on the stats.
David Gilliland 32 starts
Casey Mears 32
Landon Cassill 32
Dave Blaney 30
David Reutimann 22
David Stremme 25
Michael McDowell 26
JJ Yeley 22
Josh Wise 26
Ken Schrader 10
Stephen Leich 15
Scott Speed 15
Scott Riggs 18
Mike Bliss 16
Danica Patrick 8
Joe Nemechek 28
Reed Sorenson 17
Notice Danica only has 8 starts. Would the list of drivers quit stinking up the show according to the professor McKinkly and his entourage.