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Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com
Danica Patrick attends NASCAR testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday, March 7, 2013.
Friday, March 8, 2013 | 1:30 p.m.
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Although it’s her first year as a full-time driver on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Danica Patrick displays no lack of confidence.
Patrick thinks she’s faster than several veterans and, for this week at least, sharper than local oddsmakers. Told Las Vegas sports books set her over/under finishing position at 25th for Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Patrick responded emphatically in a press conference Friday afternoon.
“I would bet on myself,” Patrick said without flinching. “I was running there last year when I had even less of an idea what was going on and didn’t have a full-time effort.”
Patrick-mania is sweeping town again with the city’s annual NASCAR weekend. Much like three years ago when Las Vegas was one of the only stops on her maiden voyage through the Nationwide tour, Patrick is the focal point as a rookie on the more-prestigious Sprint Cup circuit.
She’s had mixed results through two early-season races. After winning the pole position at the Daytona 500 two weeks ago, she finished an encouraging seventh. Last week’s race at Phoenix went less swimmingly, as Patrick lost a tire and crashed into the wall on the 176th lap. In the end, she came in 39th place.
“My neck was sore after last weekend for sure, which it’s never been sore after a wreck,” Patrick said.
But Patrick believes she’s in position to bounce back Sunday. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a venue where she’s always felt at ease.
Patrick recorded her career best finish in a NASCAR race here two years ago, coming in fourth in the Sam’s Town 300 Nationwide event. She followed that by finishing in 12th in the Nationwide race last year.
The aforementioned debut in 2010 was the only time Patrick left the speedway unhappy, as she wrecked her car on the 84th lap of the day.
“I feel like every time I’ve been here, we run pretty decent,” Patrick said.
Drivers say that comfort with a racetrack is important, especially one with a personality as unique as Las Vegas’.
“Fast, high-bank racetrack with some real challenges,” Jeff Gordon described. “That’s what competitors love. They love a good challenge. The competition brings that in itself. That seems to always come out here.”
A couple of NASCAR’s top drivers have appeared to master Las Vegas. Jimmie Johnson has taken the checkered flag in four of the last eight years.
Carl Edwards has won twice here in that same span and enters Sunday fresh off of a victory in the Subway 500 last weekend in Phoenix.
“I know this is probably wrong to admit, but I didn't really have Phoenix marked on the calendar as the one that we were going to go win the first race,” Edwards said. “I was looking at Vegas as the race that would be the really good one.”
There will be no shortage of stiff competition standing in Patrick’s way. But she’s not intimidated.
She’d even put money on herself to place in the top 25.
“I would, but I think even the best of us can have bad weekends,” Patrick said. “They happen.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or case.keefer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
and what would you like to bet Danica?
Glad to hear that. Good to know she won't be betting on somebody else.
UH? 'Scuse me, MIZ Patrick. I guess you forgot you owe your opportunity to race in NASCAR to a nice lady named SHIRLEY MULDOWNEY who is one of the female pioneers of professional race car driving! You're a spoiled brat who gets everything handed to her and takes all the credit for it. You whine when you do not get enough attention and whine even louder when you get none. Grow up and be a professional before you wind up like Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, or Paris Hilton; a has-been who gets ridiculed by media and morons alike.
@ JeniferAD I lived in Mt. Clemens Michigan in the 70's and remember Shirley 'Cha Cha' Muldowney and her Pink painted dragster at the racetrack, the real deal for a racing chick ! I will give credit to Dancia for being able to handle and race NASCAR at 200 mph on a track, but with the media coverage she gets compared to (the Guys) who place in a race, one would think she came in first past the checkered flag at every race. Really unfair media coverage to the winner's and she's earning a bundle in advertising without even winning. I hate to say she's a bit of a Prima-Donna. Dancia, Win a big race (Daytona) and change my mind as I'm considering you an equal in skills to the male drivers ! I'm getting tired of the "look how cute I am " in the 'Go Daddy' jumpsuit with the long hair flowing bit for the cameras.
LOL@PARKERTE. Yes, I have to agree with you on that. However, I do find the 'Go Daddy' jumpsuit rather disturbing though.
She's cute. And I wish, that Vegas could get a Formula One Race, someday, that would be awesome...