Despite the tight competition in the standings, Danica Patrick is eclipsing the Chase for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup. Patrick's contract was scheduled to end with Andretti Green Racing at the end of this season, but she has reportedly re-sign another contract with the team for three additional years. In the meantime, however, Patrick expressed an interest in competing in NASCAR — and ever since the speculation has been non-stop.
Ironically, Patrick hasn't made any official announcement yet about when or if she's serious about pursuing a career in america's stock cars. But certainly, if word should leak of Patrick's career plans this week, any discussion about the Chase for the Sprint Cup or the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame will be sent onto Page 2. Nevertheless, the next step forward for the 27-year-old racer, could be decided as early as this week.
Eight-time championship team owner Rick Hendrick will certainly have his hand in the mix if Patrick's stock car training wheels come from JR Motorsports. On Sunday, Hendrick appeared non-committal when it came to the IndyCar darling. Hendrick was clear that NASCAR will survive with or without Patrick.
"I don't think she's important to the future of our sport. I mean, she would add a new dimension, maybe, if she participated in the Nationwide Series or the Cup Series one day. But I don't think that's going to make any difference where NASCAR is."
From a competition standpoint, Hendrick is right.
However, marketing gurus disagree. Although Patrick's sponsor GoDaddy.com appears to be one of the catalysts behind the driver's move to stock cars, and there is no doubt that other sponsors would follow too. Zak Brown, CEO of Just Marketing International, which handles several motorsports accounts, believes Patrick's move to NASCAR would be "huge".
NASCARONFOX"She's as well-known as any race car driver in America ... and has a large fan base, Brown said. I would imagine she would create a ton of interest and therefore, would expect to see some new fans tuning into NASCAR."
