What about Danika Partick?

Question

First it was Montoya, now it is Danika Patrick wanting to try out Nascar. What is so great about Nascar that would bring F1 and IRL drivers over to Nascar? I love watching Nascar in person and on the TV. I am glad to see drivers from other series trying it out. What do the people of Yahoo Answers think? Let me and everyone else know.

Sorry for this question. I just read that she is NOT interested in moving to Nascar. Her father wanted her to go, but he said it is up to her. Her contract runs out at the end of this year, but she wants to stay in IRL. Too bad. I think she would have done a great job in Nascar.

Answer 1

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.
As for Montoya, none of the top F1 teams wanted him and he did audition for NASCAR at the U.S. Grand Prix earlier this month when he triggered that first corner melee.
I wonder if Chip Ganassi will put a `No Tennis' clause in his contract; he did miss a couple of races last year with a shoulder injury he claimed happened when he was playing tennis. Few in the F1 paddock believed that one.

Answer 2

For Montoya, it's the challenge. He's a very good driver that can adapt to new equipment quickly. When he was in CART, he went out and won the IRL's Indy 500 in a car that he had almost no experience with. Not to mention as the first Hispanic to drive full-time on the top circuit he brings global cachet to the series.

For Danica Patrick, I think it's because her popularity has plateaued in Indy cars. Until she wins, she really can't get any more popular and the longer she stays levelled of, the greater the risk she'll end up in the same sentence as Sarah Fisher and Lyn St. James. Jumping to NASCAR while she's still hot will give her a chance to make a bigger splash.

Answer 3

Not quite sure what the attraction is.

If i had to guess, it may be the increased exposure in North America. NASCAR is seen a heck lot more in N. America then F1 per say. Lot more people learn who you are, and a lot more people start liking you.

As a result, more sponsors take you in, which in turn means more money.

I personally dont like seeing so many drivers move to NASCAR. I think F1 is a great series, but it just has to be advertised more.

Answer 4

Montoya doesn't want to spend the rest of his career being a has-been or never will be like Coulthard or JV. It will likely take him a few seasons to get up to speed in NASCAR; but he's already getting old by F1 standards, but he's got at least 10-15 years of stock-car racing ahead of him. Also, with NASCAR he doesn't have to drag his butt all over the world.

Answer 5

Montoya is going to NASCAR because he wants to try and help the Chip/Ganassi team.
DANICA PATRICK IS NOT GOING TO SWITCH TO NASCAR RACING, way out of her league. Her dad asked if she wanted to and she said "to win the Indy 500, you need an Indy Car." NBC website.

Answer 6

There's a rumor that she might join, but her dad doesn't think she will want to b/c NASCAR has a lot of races. NASCAR has more races in a season than IRL does.

GO # 8!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I don't think she will come over yet, maybe in a few years....she doesn't have the fan base yet. I hope that Juan makes it better than Steve Kinser did a few years ago. Sometimes the transition isn't as easy as it looks

Answer 8

i hope she stays in irl untill she wins the indy 500
because it gives me a reason to watch irl more
go danica and dale jr

Answer 9

All I know is that she is one drop dead gorgeous young lady!!!