Go Danica! Can Danica Patrick Revive NASCAR?

By: James Adkins

Danica Patrick is coming to NASCAR, announcing a deal on Tuesday to drive a limited Nationwide event schedule for JR Motorsports in 2010.

The deal joins the two most marketable drivers in racing, Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. JR Motorsports is owned by Dale Jr and his sister Kelley along with Hendrick Motorsports head Rick Hendrick.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the whole deal for Patrick will be the transitioning back and forth between driving stock cars and driving Indy cars for Andretti Autosports in the same season.

Former Indy-car driver Sam Hornish Jr. was the last driver to attempt a limited NASCAR schedule during a season when driving a full IndyCar circuit. Hornish Jr. made the jump full-time to Sprint Cup in 2008, but he has yet to enjoy anywhere near the success he had in IndyCar where he won 19 races in 116 starts.

Patrick, in her five-year IndyCar career, has won one race. Is it even possible for her to be successful in NASCAR, especially when compared to the more talented Hornish Jr. or other former Indy drivers Juan Pablo Montoya or Tony Stewart?

Well, if you measure success in wins, it's not likely Patrick will be winning any Nationwide races anytime soon.

If however, you measure success in terms of dollars and marketability, Patrick will be a huge success. In fact, her new boss Dale Jr. has already proven that you don't have to be a winner in the sport to be the most sought after driver from a marketing perspective.

Patrick, who drives an IndyCar sponsored by Go Daddy and Boost Mobile, will also have Go Daddy on the hood in Nationwide events. Patrick has been a marketing juggernaut for both companies and she will most certainly provide Boost's parent company Sprint, a huge marketing advantage with their NASCAR Cup sponsorship in 2010.

She may never win a race in Nationwide, or subsequently in Sprint Cup, but Danica Patrick will undoubtedly be successful in bringing more fans to the track on race day.

And when it comes down to it, more fans are what NASCAR needs, and that's what they're going to get with Patrick.

Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Categories: Danica Patrick, Nascar
Tags: IndyCar, Sprint, Go Daddy, Boost Mobile, Sprint Cup

Its all about marketing for Nascar. People will now watch just to see her. I for one do not follow Nascar all that much, but I know the picture you have up there is HOT!

Double G Sports [Web Site] Posted At 12/09/2009 06:19 AM

Good for her! and us....:)

Jim Turner [Web Site] Posted At 12/09/2009 08:16 AM

So, what you're saying is she'll be the female equivalent of Earnhardt Jr.

SCUBA - ChiefsHouse.com [Web Site] Posted At 12/09/2009 09:13 AM

At first this will give nascar a little surge in ratings, but it won't last. Their real problems lie within the fact that Hendrick is in bed with front office creating less competition and they have gotten away from their once loyal fan base by trying to spread out into new areas of the country.

Travis Williams [Web Site] Posted At 12/09/2009 09:39 AM

So really this means JR will be Hump-Drafting more at night, and placing in the top 5 during the day. PERFECT !!!

Greg Godwin Posted At 12/09/2009 09:57 AM

Danica has been the bright spot in marketing the IRL over the last few years and I’m happy they have her for two more years. She will bring a whole bunch of attention to Nascar when they need it and hopefully some of that spotlight will shine on the IRL.

Sam Wright [Web Site] Posted At 12/11/2009 05:54 PM

I feel she is just continueing to prove herself as the Anna Kornicova of racing...except Danica actually has some signs of a personality.

Schnyger Posted At 12/13/2009 03:04 PM

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