Write That Down
Danica Headed for Junior's Coop?
By ComcastSports
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:45:55 GMT
By Chris Young, Comcast.net Sports
IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick is closing in on a two-year deal with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., according to an ESPN report.
ESPN's Ryan McGee and Marty Smith reported that a source close to the negotiations said the deal was "in the final phase" and that fans could expect to see the partnership make its on-track debut during next February's Daytona Speedweeks.
Earlier this year, Patrick, the 2005 Indy Rookie of the Year, signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Green Racing, leading some to believe her NASCAR interests were more of a publicity stunt than anything else. While the IndyCar schedule features 17 races over the course of a seven-and-a-half-month season, it leaves ample room for drivers to complete in other events. For Patrick, schedule conflicts between the two series would make it virtually impossible to race a full Nationwide schedule.
Should the deal go down, however, Danica would become the first woman in history to compete in NASCAR's second-largest series while continuing to race full-time in IndyCar.
The 27-year-old made several trips to North Carolina this year during the season-long series "Danica Watch," where Patrick staged talks with potential suitors including Tony Stewart's Stewart-Haas Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. A decision to sign with JR Motorsports would be a significant connection to Hendrick, which fuels Earnhardt Jr.'s operations.
Dale Jr. and Patrick are already connected via their sponsorship deal with GoDaddy.com.
Both the Patrick and Earnhardt camps declined comment.
Message Edited by ComcastSports on 11-04-2009 04:21 PM
IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick is closing in on a two-year deal with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., according to an ESPN report.ESPN's Ryan McGee and Marty Smith reported that a source close to the negotiations said the deal was "in the final phase" and that fans could expect to see the partnership make its on-track debut during next February's Daytona Speedweeks.
Earlier this year, Patrick, the 2005 Indy Rookie of the Year, signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Green Racing, leading some to believe her NASCAR interests were more of a publicity stunt than anything else. While the IndyCar schedule features 17 races over the course of a seven-and-a-half-month season, it leaves ample room for drivers to complete in other events. For Patrick, schedule conflicts between the two series would make it virtually impossible to race a full Nationwide schedule.
Should the deal go down, however, Danica would become the first woman in history to compete in NASCAR's second-largest series while continuing to race full-time in IndyCar.
The 27-year-old made several trips to North Carolina this year during the season-long series "Danica Watch," where Patrick staged talks with potential suitors including Tony Stewart's Stewart-Haas Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. A decision to sign with JR Motorsports would be a significant connection to Hendrick, which fuels Earnhardt Jr.'s operations.
Dale Jr. and Patrick are already connected via their sponsorship deal with GoDaddy.com.
Both the Patrick and Earnhardt camps declined comment.
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Message Edited by ComcastSports on 11-04-2009 04:21 PM
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there's a likely paiting, jr and dp. one living off his father's name and the other playing the sex-kitten of irl. they might get a few endorsements, but if they don't start winning it will be short-lived. dp has a lot to learn about racing in nascar where drivers bump and run and don't particularly like whiners. she is in for a major surprise!Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:28:48 GMT | GOINGTOCALIFORNIA
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This woman hasn't achieved anything in Indy car racing aside from a single win. I don't understand all the attention this topic has garnered. If she decides to compete in NASCAR sanctioned races fine, but she needs to do some winning to get my attention. One win in numerous years in a series is just mediocre at best. I guess it is all from a marketing standpoint. But again, I may consider a product she promotes but it wouldn't enter my mind to do so just because she is pushing the product.If these companies think she is a great spokesperson, then it only makes sense that she would be even greater IF she had a number of wins under her belt.......But she hasn't got them. Chrissy Wallace would smoke this woman like a North Carolina Country Ham!!
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:17:03 GMT | dochead11
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no offense but jr motorsports has won this year and is in contention for nationwide championship(brad) idont know what interviews you have been watching ,but seriously nascar doesnt like whiners come on !!!this should give the earnhardt haters some thing else to talk about all offseason though. suprised they did not put her on full schedule .
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:18:43 GMT | MrRomie
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she's kinda hot ,maybe little E is hitting that.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:22:08 GMT | TCOOP
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how many wins in a irl car does wallace haveWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:22:10 GMT | MrRomie
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Hey, this has nothing to do with racing. I get a kick out of all of these " horndogs" starting with Andretti, signing this to a contract to try and bed it down.She is playing them all of them like a tune.
Emil Flybatch
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:24:10 GMT | emilflybatch
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TCOOPThink you are on to something here. I am not sure it has anything to do with racing.
Emil
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:36:18 GMT | emilflybatch
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she really cant make it in irl so what makes her think she can get anywhere with nascar she acts like a spoiled child when some one bumps her and then she starts to her little temper tamtrums should be interesting to see her race with cup driversWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:36:31 GMT | nosports
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jr motorsports must be stupid for signing a loser she won one race in irl. I thought you are to find a winner in this game. not anymore it`s all about who can raise the most moneyWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:48:09 GMT | boe49
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This makes absolutely no sense what so ever. This is nothing short of a publicity stunt. Danica only won one race and I would as far to say that she did not win, everyone else lost. Other than that she has done absolutely nothing in Race Car industry. The sad thing is in the Indy car circuit, she had the fastest car,with some of the highest qualifying times. When you qualify, you run by yourself, which means she can not drive when racing with other people. This is just another attempt for her, to once again, be used as a female. I guess, to her, its worth it. I think it is absolute joke. If she was good, I'd say go for it, but she is not good at all. All she can do is appear with her larger than life sunglasses on and use all of the words most racers use when describing her race. She is a fraud plain and simple.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:10:42 GMT | Patman06
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I am so sick of Danica, am a fan of racing, and yes a woman but I dont think she belongs in Nascar, so sick of her friggin commercials, show your talent on the track honey, then maybe we'll take you seriously, originally I gave her some credit then when she wasnt winning and wanted to become the pam anderson lol of racing I lost any respect for her, try getting exposure for what she does ON the track and not for her little hissie fits in the pits...dont need her in Nascar if you ask meWed, 04 Nov 2009 22:13:51 GMT | GizziesMom
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YEAH! I can't wait. NASCAR needs a kick in the pants and she's it. I can just imagine her and shrub mixing it up LOL! The days of the Pettys, Alisons and the rest of the 'Bama gang are gone. Now it's all about securing funding and she'll have that in spades.She's got the money and the backing--let her try. After all, we've had to endure JPM (THE biggest whiner of all). How can she be worse for the sport than he and Toyotas?!
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:16:16 GMT | 88in08
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Who cares about what Danica does with her life. She's a hottie and by the way, is she still married?Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:28:55 GMT | et62459
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She can't even win an indy race.Cee You Next TuesdayWed, 04 Nov 2009 22:58:30 GMT | mikea1952
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Hey Danica! Come to NASCAR, or stop talking about it. I don't care either way - just make a decision. I'm tired of hearing about this.If she does come to NASCAR, it will be fun to see who the biggest crybaby is to come from open wheel racing - Danica or Juan Pablo. And before you flame me for this, I think Mr. Montoya is a very talented driver, and came to NASCAR with a great attitude. He wasn't there to prove anything to anyone . He asked a lot of questions and learned from some of the best. I think he's fitting in just fine with the good ol' boys. He just needs to learn how to bite his tongue for the first 10 minutes after a race.
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:58:54 GMT | Jack_Sofla
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If I remember correctly the only race she ever won was because the cars in front of her ran out of gas.Everyone knows she's not a great driver but she makes money for herself and her sponsors. Just like Anna Kournikova. I don't blame her or JR.
The Indy racing league is already hurting. If Danica eventually moves to Sprint Cup and quits Indy Car I predict Indy Car racing will die.
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:04:03 GMT | BradnDeb
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Danica, You will do just fine, despite all these WHINERS comments. Welcome to NASCAR.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:12:46 GMT | captainmidnight
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so let me just ask who would you put in the car ? a rookie with no wins and no name ! half the guys in nationwide couldnt sell a piece of bubblegum w/ thier name . kyle whines when somebody runs the same line . if you cant raise the money you dont go very fast for very long.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:28:39 GMT | MrRomie
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I think Danica will be good for NASCAR and JR Motor sports. Let me see how many of you HE men, could drive an open wheel racer 180 -190 mph with your but a few inches off the ground.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:33:41 GMT | jrsupporter