Do you think Danica Patrick will move to NASCAR next year?

Question

Well I guess her dad has kind of been looking into the idea. And also Danica didn't originally want to race in the IRL! So do you think she will move next year? And if she does will she succeed? According to her dad it's the 38 races a year that scares her! So yea Just wondering what you think about it!

I guess it would also probably take away attention from the IRL! If she moved...

Answer 1

I hope not .I'd like to see her stay in IRL . She is so good at it and besides she is the first driver that ever drew my attention away from the cars.....I mean she's real interesting to listen to ....yeah that's what I meant .

Answer 2

If she is going to make a leap to NASCAR now would be the time to do it as there is a lack of intrest in the current drivers available. While she has proven that she can compete in a second rate league ( IRL ) I don't think she will step in and be a threat for the near future, but with seat time she may become one. She has poise in interviews which is very important now a days and she will bring sponsership offers ( even more important ) but mostly I believe it will open the doors for more females to get a chance in a male dominated sport. I believe she is fit enough to run a 38 race schedule as I know she has a personal trainer. Yes I believe she should make the jump but remember Rome wasn't built in a day it will take her some time to win if ever and in the long run it would be good for the sport

Answer 3

Her contract with Rahal-Letterman runs out at the end of this season and it sounds like T.J. Patrick (her dad) is using the NASCAR thing as a ploy to get more money (from Rahal-Letterman) in a new contract. Also, I'm sure T.J. isn't overly happy that some of the spotlight in the IRL has shifted to Marco Andretti.
Interestingly, Danica hasn't won a race since her karting days; Marco had three wins last year in the Indy Pro Series.

Answer 4

Danica Patrick to NASCAR...In 2007? Danica Patrick could become the next star driver to defect from another major racing series to NASCAR. "I'm trying to get her here [into NASCAR]," said T.J. Patrick, father of the woman who dazzled the motor racing world last year by nearly winning the Indianapolis 500, but has struggled with a mediocre Indy Racing League car ever since. T.J. Patrick, who has managed his daughter's career since her childhood, was at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, holding exploratory talks with some Nextel Cup teams and sponsors about the possibility of Danica leaving the IRL for NASCAR as early as next year. Her contract expires with the IRL's Rahal-Letterman Racing team, co-owned by TV comic David Letterman, at the end of this season. In addition to considering NASCAR, the Patricks are negotiating with other IRL teams -- and appear unlikely to renew with Rahal-Letterman next year. Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman racing, declined comment through a spokesperson. Danica, 24, wasn't at Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400 NASCAR race. T.J. and Danica's mother, Bev, came to the Joliet track because "we've had some inquiries" from NASCAR teams, T.J. said. The Patricks were in the Nextel Cup garage area as guests of the powerful Roush Racing team, which fields five Ford teams.

Answer 5

I think she's trying to cash in while she's hot and the "it girl." Her contract is up and I'm sure she could get another ride in the IRL or stay with Rahal Letterman, but they won't be able to afford her asking price. So, yes she will go to NASCAR because they can fund her salary. She can also make a lot more money in endorsements, which is where the big bucks are made.

Answer 6

I'd doubt it. NASCAR is still the good old boys network. I'd be *real* surprised if they let a woman into the area.

Even if they did, she'd be hard pressed with all the media attention. Watching her interviews, she would need to be coached on how to handle all the attention that the NASCAR drivers get - way more than any IRL driver would ever get, even a woman one.

Answer 7

No...remember when she called Eddie Cheever an "idiot" after he bumped her at Watkins Glen? Half the NASCAR drivers drive like that regularly. Rubbin' is NOT racin', she knows that, and she knows that she has a greater chance of success in the IRL.

Plus IRL is likely to increase in popularity in the next few years. NASCAR has nowhere to go but down.

Answer 8

There's a good chance she will, there are going to be a lot of open seats in Nextel Cup for next season.

If I was her family I would much rather see her race NASCAR than IRL.Stock cars are much safer, than open wheel racing.

Do I think ANY of the open wheel drivers are going to come right in and dominate? Not a chance.It's a whole other ball game.

Answer 9

I heard her interview on the local radio here mpls. mn. she did not sound like she was interested in that right now. I would like to see her continue in irl she`s a very good driver, and I think she could have a long career

Answer 10

If she wants to win then probably not, it would take alot of learning and experience for her to adjust to those cars. Now if she wants to make more money through all endorsements and the amount of exposure that NASCAR would give her then I dont see why not.