That’s a great decision on her part.
Sure, it’s going to be a media frenzy. Daytona always is, so distractions will be plenty for Patrick. Plus, Daytona isn’t like any other track, with the exception of Talladega. It took drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Sr. a million years to win the Daytona 500, while champions like Rusty Wallace never did.
So why not just sneak into Phoenix, Las Vegas or any of the races where the spotlight isn’t so hot and you don’t have to worry about restrictor plates, bump drafting and two-car breakaways?
Here’s why: If Patrick has a prayer of winning any race next year, it will be Daytona.
Seriously.
No one thought Trevor Bayne had a shot at winning this year’s Daytona 500 in a part-time ride, and he went out and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Cup history. Jamie McMurray was the surprise winner a year ago. The years that Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick won the 500 were a surprise, too.
Upsets happen at Daytona. It's those obnoxious restrictor plates that make these races fun, dangerous and unpredictable. Patrick has never won the Indy 500. What kind of story would that be if she won the Daytona 500?
Relax. I’m not picking Patrick. Open wheel champions, including Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti and Juan Pablo Montoya came into stock car racing with far better credentials than Patrick. Montoya has found limited success, Franchitti returned to IndyCar and Hornish continues to look for a road back into Cup.
Those guys weren’t working with Tony Stewart, though. That’s the one advantage Patrick has, considering she will be racing her limited Cup schedule for Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart is a genius when it comes to racing, and don't forget, he was an open wheel standout before making the switch.
The Danica at Daytona Countdown will begin in the minutes following the drop of the checkered flag at this year’s season finale at Homestead on Nov. 20.
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
No comments:
Post a Comment