BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted March 1, 2010 BassResource.com Administrator Posted March 1, 2010 It's too bad you guys have to hate her so much. It's really sad, actually. I'm not saying she should be placed on a pedastal either, but I don't think the hatred is warranted. She's certainly not the first woman to drive a racecar (cup or otherwise), and certainly not the last. She is indeed one of the few formula drivers to make the crossover - none of which became an instant success (funny how nobody is mentioning the hype that surround Montoya when he made the switch, even though he bombed out of the starting gate). But time will eventually tell if she made the right decision for her career. In the mean time, all you haters should at least take a wait-n-see approach, instead of bashing her with only a few races under her belt. P.S. As for Cope, he got all the "hype" that was available some 25 years ago, being a no-name from Washington state that suddenly won the Daytona 500. NASCAR's marketing machine is different today, so you can't compare apples-to-apples.
I Love BassResource Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Thats true, except I didn't use Cope as the comparison, that was yours.
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 1, 2010 Super User Posted March 1, 2010 Funny from what I'm reading all the unproductive responses come from feelings not fact. Those who are familiar with NASCAR know better. All I can say is wow. Two wrecks and her standings are not facts? Or does she get a pass for bad hair days. They are facts, but it is also a fact that she did not cause the wrecks. Jeff Gordon destroyed a lot of cars in his rookie year in what was then the Busch Series. And he was responsible for a lot of them. According to your judgement, he never should have gotten a Cup ride. But we all know how that worked out. In all her Nationwide races she has tried to stay out of the way. That's what any smart racer would do until they get a handle on things. Her first experience with racing full bodied cars was the ARCA race the weekend before the 500, and she did a great job in that. The doofus who cut down on her in Vegas was to blame. He had plenty of room to stay up. Blame him or his spotters for what happened. I'm not saying she's a great driver. She hasn't had enough track time to make a reasonable judgement.
I Love BassResource Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 The Daytona 500. He won because you-know-who played his cards wrong and ran out of gas on the final lap. Derek passed him on turns 3/4 to win, because he and his crew chief made the right strategic moves to have the fuel to make it to the finish. Geez guys...look it up! Don't pull this "prove it" stuff. > "Dale Earnhardt was poised to win his first Daytona 500 when a cut right rear tire on the last lap put him out of contention and allowed Derrike Cope to win the 1990 Daytona 500. Derrike was driving the #10 Chevrolet Purolator owned by Bob Whitcomb with crew chief Buddy Parrot" Straight from http://www.derrikecope.com/wcup/90/default.asp
Super User Catt Posted March 1, 2010 Super User Posted March 1, 2010 "Always throwing a hissy fit about something/someone causing her problem"; Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, & Tony Stewart (Joe Gibbs had to place him in anger management classes twice) ... You're not seriously comparing her to any of those drivers are you? She's not worthy to carry their helmets. As far as being whiners they are the tops I forgot the race but Steward tookout Rusty Wallace his team mate who was leading the race.
I Love BassResource Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Stewart and Wallace were teammates? :-?
BassResource.com Administrator Keri Posted March 1, 2010 BassResource.com Administrator Posted March 1, 2010 Fishing Rhino I agree with you but it seems there are those who won't give a girl a break or learning curve so to speak. Oh well no skin of my nose, it just makes us girls want to get out there and kick more butts . ;D
I Love BassResource Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 My opinion, isn't based around her gender. I can find 10 times as many males drivers that have been major flops as well. She just carries mucho hype...
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted March 1, 2010 BassResource.com Administrator Posted March 1, 2010 So I was going off memory and I was wrong about Derrick. Big deal. Still doesn't negate the fact that there are many races won due to fuel management and strategy. But this time I will NOT get into that tangent!
Super User Dan: Posted March 1, 2010 Super User Posted March 1, 2010 So I was going off memory and I was wrong about Derrick. Big deal. Still doesn't negate the fact that there are many races won due to fuel management and strategy. But this time I will NOT get into that tangent! I'm sorry Glenn, but you're going to have to prove it. ;D ;D ;D j/k This all sounds like Japanese to my Nascar ignorant brain.
Carrington Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 i have nothing against danica as a female. I do not think she is at the skill level to race in nationwide. I would not complain if she went down and started at the bottem of stockcar racing and worked her way up. but at the moment to me atleast is seems as if everything is just handed to her. and about montoya, i thought the same thing about him until he started having good finnishes.
Super User Lund Explorer Posted March 1, 2010 Super User Posted March 1, 2010 FRo a story on Fox Sports this morning, the following excerpt: Consider the best-known open wheel racers, and how they fared in NASCAR's second-tier series. Sam Hornish Jr. ran in nine Nationwide races before making his Sprint Cup debut in 2008. His order of finish: 36th, 43rd, 31st, 35th, 15th, 25th, 43rd, 25th, 31st. Juan Pablo Montoya ran 11th, 28th and 34th at the end of the 2006 season. Here's the link if you want to read the whole thing. http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/kriegel-danica-a-smashing-success-022710 My take on all this..... Give the Gal a break. She has already flew around an almost flat track or two in an open wheel race car, so she ain't no coward. I haven't had the chance to watch all of those races, but from what I've seen, she is improving. Several times yesterday she was moving up in the pack. Maybe not running in the top ten, but hey, Junior does the same thing in the cup series. They even were discussing the fact that they have gotten the cockpit adjusted to fit her yet, this takes time. I think that given a few more races, you'll see her move up. She may never be a big time contender, but she should cash money. Finally, for anyone who may have looked at other parts of this forum, there is this thing called sponsorships. And the girl does draw sponsor money, which is at least half the battle. I guess us guys should just feel sorry for the guys that finished in a worse position than her, or Pam Martin-Wells, or Michelle Wie. Ouch, beaten by a, a, a, a girl!
FL Knifemaker Posted March 1, 2010 Author Posted March 1, 2010 She can't have a worse start in Nationwide than Steven Wallace That kid has torn up some cars............and not just his!! :
1inStripes Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Wallace isn't the best finisher in the game, unless you count finishing off race cars. People can peg me for Danica hate, but that isn't true. Its called being honest and calling it like I see it. She hasn't even been that good at something that she has grew up with and has experience at, and it will take a long time before, or if, she ever does anything in a stock car. At this point in time, she isn't as good as Patty Moise (yeah look that name up) and Patty wasn't exactly a great driver either.
looking4structure Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 I think she has raced 3 times with 2 BIG FAT DNF'S.I will give her a C- ,but her 3 race production says F.
Super User K_Mac Posted March 2, 2010 Super User Posted March 2, 2010 What separates Danica from the rest of the NASCAR rookies (other than the obvious, and wonderful physical differences 8-)) is that she brings new fans and money to the game. Hate her or love her, most everyone has an opinion. She may not make the cut. She does have the support to stick around a while and find out. I hope she makes it. What I don't understand is why anyone would want her gone. Sponsorship dollars are not as easy to come by in this economy as they once were. She is money right now. If she doesn't have the skills, that will take care of itself. If she does, good for her and NASCAR.
FL Knifemaker Posted March 2, 2010 Author Posted March 2, 2010 What separates Danica from the rest of the NASCAR rookies (other than the obvious, and wonderful physical differences 8-)) is that she brings new fans and money to the game. Hate her or love her, most everyone has an opinion. She may not make the cut. She does have the support to stick around a while and find out. I hope she makes it. What I don't understand is why anyone would want her gone. Sponsorship dollars are not as easy to come by in this economy as they once were. She is money right now. If she doesn't have the skills, that will take care of itself. If she does, good for her and NASCAR. Excellent post!
Turtle. Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 Wallace isn't the best finisher in the game, unless you count finishing off race cars. People can peg me for Danica hate, but that isn't true. Its called being honest and calling it like I see it. She hasn't even been that good at something that she has grew up with and has experience at, and it will take a long time before, or if, she ever does anything in a stock car. At this point in time, she isn't as good as Patty Moise (yeah look that name up) and Patty wasn't exactly a great driver either. Not that good OK, Lets talk facts. She began go-karting in 1992 at the age of 10, and eventually won several World Karting Association championships. She moved to England at age 16 in order to advance her racing career. Patrick raced in Formula Ford and Formula Vauxhall,earning a second-place in Britain's Formula Ford Festival,She had the highest ever finish for an American in that race! In 2002, Patrick started driving for Rahal Letterman Racing in the United States. After making several starts in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, she moved to the Toyota Atlantic Championship for 2003. Patrick won one pole position and was a consistent podium finisher (top three); however, she never won a race. In 2004, Patrick finished third in the Championship. 2005, Patrick became the fourth woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500 Posting the fastest practice speed of the month (229.880 mph/369.956 km/h) Patrick's fourth starting position, was the highest ever attained for the race by a female driver.Patrick became the first female driver to lead the race at IndianapolisPatrick's fourth place was the highest ever finish for a female driver at the Indy 500.In 2005, Patrick finished 12th in the IndyCar Series championship, with 325 points. She was named Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season. 2006 a 9th place finish in the IndyCar Series Championship point standings, besting her 12th place points finish as a rookie. 2007 season as a whole, Patrick scored her first three career podium finishes to finish with 4 top 5's and 11 top 10's while leading 17 laps on the season. She also scored her career best championship points finish of 7th. 2008 She finished the IndyCar Series season in sixth place - the highest championship finish among American drivers for the 2008 season. 2009 Patrick raced at the Indianapolis 500. She finished third behind winner Helio Castroneves a new record high finish for a female driver in the race. Danica finished the season 5th overall in the point standings, her highest finish to date. This 5th place finish was not only the highest of any of the Andretti Autosport drivers, but of any non-Penske or Ganassi driver for the 2009 season. OK she may not be great, but not that good. C'mon, She has accomplished more already than some drivers do in a life time of racing. Male or female. I say cut her some slack. I looking forward to what she what she might be able to do in nascar.
Carrington Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 ok, her career is all great and all, but how many great drivers do you know of that have barly any wins at all... none. All the great/good drivers have wins. from what i saw you posted i didnt see to many wins. the point of this post is that i truly do not believe that she will go any where any time soon in nascar. i think the fans will die off when they see her finnish in the bottem half of field every race which will only leave her diehard fans to chear for her, which im not sure how many of them she has. could be alot, could be a little, i dont know.
1inStripes Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 Not that good = average. She has been average at her craft. Does that sound better?
Carrington Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 you know what, id give her average. i just feel you need to be above average in the league she is in. shes proabably above average in indy though
Turtle. Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 Not that good = average. She has been average at her craft. Does that sound better? Well i guess if...... Finishing 5th in the points standing out of 40 other drivers is average. I guess all that means is there are 35 drivers who wish they were average. 3rd place in the Indy 500 is average. I suppose anyone could do that. : Sounds more like a hater to me. But, whatever that's your right. I never said she was great. All I'm saying is the girl can drive. And I wish her the best in her nascar career. 8-)
Super User cart7t Posted March 2, 2010 Super User Posted March 2, 2010 Not that good = average. She has been average at her craft. Does that sound better? Well i guess if...... Finishing 5th in the points standing out of 40 other drivers is average. I guess all that means is there are 35 drivers who wish they were average. 3rd place in the Indy 500 is average. I suppose anyone could do that. : Sounds more like a hater to me. But, whatever that's your right. I never said she was great. All I'm saying is the girl can drive. And I wish her the best in her nascar career. 8-) 3rd place in the Indy 500, circa 1996 to present doesn't hold the weight it had. In comparison, Juan Montoya entered the 2000 Indy 500 with Target Chip Ganassi racing. This was the first time a CART team had crossed the line and participated in an IRL event since the beginning of the OW split in 1996. Montoya blew the rest of the IRL field away. It wasn't even close. This despite the fact that Montoya had very little oval racing experience compared to his competition. Here's another comparison. Danica's Toyota Atlantics season. Despite the fact she had one of the better equipped cars on the track, race in and race out, she was easily bested in every race by the eventual champion, AJ Almendinger. The very same AJ Almendinger who currently drives one of the Toyota Red Bull cars in the cup series. AJ was another Champ car crossover who had virtually zero oval racing experience prior to his entrance into the all oval cup series. His climb through the ranks, without the aid of $$$ to "buy" a premium ride like Patrick has with the Earnhardt ARCA and Nationwide car, was far more impressive. Finally, you'll note in the listed accomplishments of Ms. Patrick above, only 2 total victories in all those years of racing despite the fact she's often been driving superior equipment compared to her competitors. The point? Ride buyers have always been around in racing, regardless of the series, she though has never been able to shake the fact that she's never fulfilled her hype, created by taking her clothes off most of the time, with results that would indicate real racing talent. Until then she's a "brand" that's continues to race because of deals she brings to the table, mostly due to her ease of undressing in front of a camera versus producing on-track results.
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 2, 2010 Super User Posted March 2, 2010 i have nothing against danica as a female. I do not think she is at the skill level to race in nationwide. I would not complain if she went down and started at the bottem of stockcar racing and worked her way up. but at the moment to me atleast is seems as if everything is just handed to her. and about montoya, i thought the same thing about him until he started having good finnishes. That same argument was used about Jeff Gordon when he started winning. He didn't pay his dues. He had everything handed to him. His equipment was better than others. Yadda, yadda, yadda. He was the start of a new era. None of the younger crop of drivers went through what the prior generations of drivers did to get to the upper levels. The Busch brothers, Newman, Harvick, Edwards, Biffle, Logano (who's still only 19), etc., basically showed up at the track with their helmet, firesuit and gloves, and hopped behind the wheel. Junior never distinguished himself at the local tracks. I saw him finish laps down at the Myrtle Beach Speedway back in '94 or '95, and from talking with the locals, that was typical. Daddy put him in a Busch car and he won two championships. The older guys rarely made it to Cup level racing before they were thirty years old. Seems to me that some resent Danica because she's a woman who has parlayed her ability, looks and whatever into a fortune. Ultimately, we will find out if she belongs at this level in stock car racing or not. This I do know. Her souvenir trailer at Daytona was doing more business than any of the others including those of Junior and Gordon. That's as important to sponsors as on track performance. If you look at the current state of NASCAR, it's easy to understand why they are flogging Danica at every opportunity. Guaranteed she put a lot of fannies in the seats for Saturday's Nationwide race at Daytona. And, the bottom line is NASCAR's first and foremost concern. Warm bodies in the stands, and good tv ratings. Is it a case of hype or hope, maybe both. We'll find out, eventually.
TheBeast Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 You can't compare actual driver talent in IRL by finishes when the car and crew chief are 95% of the equation with everything being computer controlled and the ability to make changes on the fly especially at Indy where the crew chief can reset the car on the straight to go around each curve perfectly. I will give you she is a slightly above average PILOT in Indy but she has yet to prove anything as a race car DRIVER.
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