Where Danica Patrick is going to be racing in 2010 has been an ongoing topic in sports recently. Does she stay in IRL? Switch teams? Make the move to NASCAR? These are all viable options available to Danica and her future. One win coming in 2008 at the Japan Open 300, and a career best 3rd place finish at this year’s Indy 500, and she is a hot commodity? Is auto racing becoming more like the NBA Draft now where it is about potential versus performance? I say auto racing because there is someone else that has to be thrown into this discussion: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Much like Danica, Junior has a ton of hype, is one helluva PR machine, and has a ton of potential, yet underperforming on the track. Junior also came out this week and said he would like to run the Indy 500, if it didn’t coincide with the Coke 600 on Memorial Day weekend. Here’s an idea for Junior: win a couple of races in Sprint Cup action before talking about doing something else. These remarks come at the heels of the USA Today article where Junior stated he misses the off week before the July Daytona race, as that was a week for partying. Instead of worrying so much about partying, maybe he should focus on his on-track performance. Sponsors are paying A LOT, and I mean A LOT, of money to be sponsors on his car and they are not getting a great return on investment.
I think I have the solution though: Danica and Junior switch series for the 2010 season. Some may find the idea ridiculous, but please keep reading. Both of these drivers have what most sponsors are looking for in drivers. People think they can relate to these drivers as average citizens and they sell a ton of merchandise, which makes them appealing to team owners. Their performance on the track has been lacking, but they both have the potential to breakout. A switch would also give these drivers a built-in excuse for why their performance was lacking: new cars, new crew chief, new tracks, different rules, etc. It would also allow them both to take a step back and look and see if the grass really is greener on the other side.
The advantages for Junior are numerous. Only 17 races in IRL, versus 36 in NASCAR, leaving many extra weekends available for trips to Daytona. 33 competitors versus 43 in NASCAR, so his average finish has to be better. The cars, according to Robby Gordon, are all engineering with little driver control, so adjustments will come from the pits, all he has to do is drive.
For Danica, a larger audience on a grander stage to sink or swim would be available. Danica would also get to spend some time at tracks in Bristol, Darlington, and Pocono versus Toronto and St. Petersburg. She would also be able to create controversy on the track with some different drivers such as Kyle Busch. Just imagine Danica one lap down at Bristol and wrecking Kyle Busch as he is racing for the win, what a great post-race that would be!!
Notes from the week
· (From Last Week) Tony Stewart says he has spoken to Kyle Busch and they are on the same page regarding the final lap incident Saturday evening. ( This week) Kyle Busch says not all is well. Kyle called suggest that if the second place car,” punts,” the winning driver, black flag th3 2nd place car and give the win to the 3rd place car. Sour grapes?? I wish someone would have asked him what he would have done had the roles been reversed.
· Lance is now in 3rd Place at Tour de France…….
· Phil Mickelson is skipping the British Open to stay home with his wife. It has been a tough spring for Phil as both his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer. Best wishes go out to the entire Mickelson family for speedy and full recoveries.
· Anyone wanting to see a lighter side to 3-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, go to
www.funnyordie.com and look for his “motivational” DVD set. Pretty damn funny and a better representation of who he really is.
· VACATION TIME!!!!!!!! Talk to you the week of the 20th .