3 Comments
Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Friday, June 3, 2011 | 4:31 p.m.
I’m tired of waiting. All of the planets seem to be in alignment for Danica Patrick to make the full-time move to NASCAR, but she’s still not ready to take the plunge.
What’s the holdup?
Bob Parsons, owner of GoDaddy.com, says he would sponsor Patrick even if she were in ice skating. Tony Stewart says he’s interested in signing Patrick if she moves to NASCAR full time. A lot of drivers hoping to make the move to stock-car racing would kill to have these options.
But as of today, Patrick is still maintaining that she hasn’t made a decision regarding what she will do beyond this year. She is in the last year of her contracts with Andretti Autosport to drive in the IndyCar Series and with JR Motorsports to compete part time in the Nationwide Series.
Reader poll
Maybe she’s unable to let go of her dream to win the Indy 500. Maybe she’s looking for the right NASCAR deal that will let her continue to race in the Indy 500. Maybe she’s just weighing her options and waiting to see which NASCAR team wants her the most. Or maybe she already has an idea of where she’s going and she’s just finishing up the details before she signs on the dotted line.
Whatever the truth is, she’s in a tremendous position of power that is obviously allowing her to take her time and be choosy. If she truly wants to be competitive in NASCAR, then she has to devote herself full time to the sport. And, hopefully, she will be making that commitment soon.
To me she doesn't have to sign right now. It would be nice for her and NASCAR to be in it for the whole season. You have to think to that she could be doing this for the publicity. She seems like the type that enjoys seeing her name and having people talk about her.
This is what I think will happen: unless she wins two or more Indy races she will sign a contract with JR Motorsports to drive the NO. 7 Godaddy.com car. When and if she moves up into cup I think that Tony or Petty will go after her. I don't think as of right now Hendrick, Roush or Gibbs will touch her.
All the best to her in whatever her decision is but I personally would love to see her full time in the Nationwide series next season with some races in the Cup series in two years.
I don't think she wants to get lost in NASCAR like other racers that have come over from INDY Racing. Montoya and others just seem to drive at the back of the pack and never win. Even on road courses they don't win. I don't know why more drivers don't win but the INDY drivers seem to be shut out! I think her main money comes from endorsements so she has to protect that.
Homeboylv, you are right when it comes to Montoya when he first came over and Francitti, Carpantier, and the others. Montoya is starting to come around and compete but not every week. Danica is doing well this year in the Nationwide series and I know that does not mean the same will happen if she were to race in the cup series but she is running well. She got her first top 5 here in Las Vegas and 10th Saturday at Chicagoland. She is coming around and I think that wherever she goes her endorsements will come so she doesn't necessarily have to protect them. The other thing is when you see the INDY guys and gals come into NASCAR you have to look at their equipment. Only Montoya has had really good equipment to work with so that effects the situation as well. If she stays with JR Motorsports she will do fine in the Nationwide and if she does go into Cup she will do well if she goes with Tony over Petty because of the equipment.