Dpat to NASCAR?

[omicron]

Danica Patrick's father is exploring the possibility of the popular Indy Racing League driver moving to NASCAR as soon as next year, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday. (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=1&id=2515044)

What do you think, especially Natalie and all you Nascar fans here? Would her high-profile help increase the visibilty of your sport? Or would all the rednecks wonder what a girl was doing driving a car? :lol:

Monetarily, it makes sense. She would get much more endorsements and pay from racing in a higher profile league. Plus it would be good for Nascar's ongoing campaign to include minorities in their league.

Omi

[Natalie]

Well, I'd love to see it, she's got the skills and I think would make the adjustment well. I'm always down for a chick who can realy compete coming into the sport. It would be neat if she came in next year and with a solid team behind her it could be a great marketing opp.

Erin Crocker should move to Busch fulltime next season and should be in Cup within 2-3 years.

I think that would be the best route if DP wanted to do it, it's a slight shorter schedule, lighter car, and shorter races.

Great move professionally for any driver who wants to make the big time money too!

[kah]

I thought NASCAR had a pretty solid fan base already, but reading this (http://www.backseatblonde.com/December6.html) site, I'm not so sure anymore.

[Nostromo]

She's got the goods. Go for it! Right now it's a battle of bucks and who's got the deeper pockets, or better yet, the desire. Roush or Letterman. I think it's great she can cut her own ticket.
N

[Daltons Chin Dimple]

FatBoy Montoya is leaving F1 to race in NASCAR as well isn't he ?

[Natalie]

Montoya was released from his contract so he's now free to get seat time in NASCAR. Chip Gnassi is looking to get him some time during this season. I think it's awesome. Talk about a diverse racing background. Open wheelers have had lots of success in NASCAR. (See T. Stewart, J. Gordon)

As far as a waning NASCAR fan-base, I think there are mixed reports on that. As a long time fan, I have seen some fundamentalist fans that have become disenchanted with the sport since the advent of the Chase; the schedule changes that eliminated Rockingham and N. Wilkesboro, and the push for races in non-traditional markets; and of course, the departure of many of racing's old school talent as teams push for young, photogenic talent.

However, more people than ever are tuning in or at least catching up with it on Monday morning. Folks whose voices I heard for years dogging the sport are now picking drivers and going to races.

I think it's a matter of perception.

[kah]

Montoya was released from his contract so he's now free to get seat time in NASCAR. Chip Gnassi is looking to get him some time during this season. I think it's awesome. Talk about a diverse racing background. Open wheelers have had lots of success in NASCAR. (See T. Stewart, J. Gordon)

As far as a waning NASCAR fan-base, I think there are mixed reports on that. As a long time fan, I have seen some fundamentalist fans that have become disenchanted with the sport since the advent of the Chase; the schedule changes that eliminated Rockingham and N. Wilkesboro, and the push for races in non-traditional markets; and of course, the departure of many of racing's old school talent as teams push for young, photogenic talent.

However, more people than ever are tuning in or at least catching up with it on Monday morning. Folks whose voices I heard for years dogging the sport are now picking drivers and going to races.

I think it's a matter of perception.

I don't think the blog was about waning interest. I think it was trying to say that there aren't as many fans as "they" would have us believe. Like 75 Million.