Danica Patrick going NASCAR

jdearing

jdearing

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by Elizabeth L. Driscoll

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- At last, the long-awaited announcement is official -- Go Daddy is taking Danica Patrick to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010.

Danica will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in a partial Nationwide schedule next season, plus one ARCA race. The Go Daddy Girl will be racing as a member of the JR Motorsports (JRM) team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Rick Hendrick, Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury, Jr. through 2011.

"It's been a long time coming, but the stars finally aligned for me with Go Daddy and JRM," Danica said just before making her announcement. "I have always said I love to drive, and if I could make it work to race in both IndyCar and NASCAR -- with the right sponsor, like GoDaddy.com and the right team, like JRM -- then I'd love to drive in NASCAR!"

Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons introduced Danica today as she made it official with the unveiling of her new stock car in front of fans and media outside Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. The Go Daddy Girl had just wrapped up her latest Go Daddy Super Bowl shoot for the world's top domain name registrar and Web hosting provider. She's also planning to attend Go Daddy's annual holiday party to be held Saturday at the ballpark.

"As Danica said, the stars aligned," said Parsons. "We're thrilled to expand our long-standing relationship with Danica into NASCAR. This is not only big news for NASCAR fans; it has all the ingredients for some major GoDaddy-esque marketing magic."

Parsons and the Go Daddy Girl driver were flanked by the brand new bright green No. 7 GoDaddy.com Nationwide Chevrolet and the equally distinctive 2010 IndyCar at today's news conference.

Go Daddy is leveraging its existing relationship with Earnhardt, Jr. who has also driven for Go Daddy in the Nationwide Series and will continue to work as a Go Daddy spokesperson.

Dale, Jr.'s sister, Kelley, is VP and GM for JRM and was at today's news conference. She expressed her excitement to have a woman join the team. She also pointed to JRM's experience as a key asset in Danica's foray into NASCAR. "One of the things JRM has to offer is proven NASCAR experience," said Earnhardt. "This is a team sport, and our team will help Danica get up to speed quickly. She's slated to begin working with our crew starting with the upcoming ARCA tests."

The move to put IndyCar's Most Popular Driver, and overall media magnet, into a Nationwide car is expected to give NASCAR a much needed boost considering its goal to maintain the sport's enormous fan base. In a recent news conference, NASCAR's CEO Brian France was asked about Danica joining NASCAR. France said, "She has a lot of talent and would be good for NASCAR...I've told her that directly."

Danica's NASCAR races would take place before, after and in between her IndyCar schedule. Michael Andretti, owner of Danica's IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport, addressed that issue. "Danica and I are both working hard for a win at the Indianapolis 500 -- keeping the race schedules separate will help keep her focused," Andretti said.

The world will surely be watching when Danica drives her bright green GoDaddy.com car in her first-ever stock car race, an ARCA event in Daytona, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 -- the day before the Super Bowl. Danica's latest Go Daddy commercials are set to debut during the Super Bowl.

To see photos of Danica and her GoDaddy.com Nationwide NASCAR, visit www.GoDaddy.com/Danica.

Many in the media have speculated about Danica's recent contract negotiations. Successful negotiations are the topic of Parsons' most recent video blog, which can be seen at www.BobParsons.me.

To find out how you can get online quickly and affordably, visit www.GoDaddy.com.
 
Danica

Nascar needs something to get people excited about, maybe D will be it? who knows. I predict mediocrity at best. but alot of T shirts will be sold.
 
do they make booster seats for cup cars?

I agree though, will be a much needed shot in the arm for nascar. Hope the best for her.
 
watch the trailer,both ladies come off as being on the ball regarding the expations for sucess
 
Well, I guess Nascar needs anything that brings positive PR. Just sux that she can leap frog more qualified racers just because of that. Am I the only one that thinks the business side of sports sux? :D
 
How is she leap frogging any driver? My understanding is she will be in th ARCA REMAX Series which is the very first stage of racing. It looks to me like in all reality she is taking steps backwards putting her in a case where she either performs or loses. If I were in her shoes I would have stayed where I was at in a very comfy place but I give her all the respect in the world for stepping out of her comfort zone and taking this chance. I WISH HER ALL THE BEST OF LUCK AND success in the world and I hope she makes it in to the Cup series and kicks some butt. Danicamania is running wild now baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I am happy for her and hope she does well enough to prove her critics wrong. But if nascar really wanted to make a good product in terms of racing quality, they would keep the safety stuff they have in place and revert a little in other departments. How about some bias ply tires, greasy asphalt and some dynamite for the cookie cutter tracks of the 21st century. Rockingham, Wilksboro, etc etc where have you gone? Oh, thats right, you along with real racing were devoured by the almighty dollar.
 
I think this is GREAT!!! I hope her & the team do GREAT next year!!! Hopefully she makes it to the Cup series soon!!! Best of luck to JRM!!!
 
dirtmodified28 said:
How is she leap frogging any driver? My understanding is she will be in th ARCA REMAX Series which is the very first stage of racing. It looks to me like in all reality she is taking steps backwards putting her in a case where she either performs or loses. If I were in her shoes I would have stayed where I was at in a very comfy place but I give her all the respect in the world for stepping out of her comfort zone and taking this chance. I WISH HER ALL THE BEST OF LUCK AND success in the world and I hope she makes it in to the Cup series and kicks some butt. Danicamania is running wild now baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

One arca race. Do you not think there is better qualified driver to fill that seat? Nascar is the place to $be$ that's why them Indy type drivers come over. Don't see many jump the other way.
 
Aaron Wood said:
I am happy for her and hope she does well enough to prove her critics wrong. But if nascar really wanted to make a good product in terms of racing quality, they would keep the safety stuff they have in place and revert a little in other departments. How about some bias ply tires, greasy asphalt and some dynamite for the cookie cutter tracks of the 21st century. Rockingham, Wilksboro, etc etc where have you gone? Oh, thats right, you along with real racing were devoured by the almighty dollar.
Click to expand...
You are correct! Like I said in an earlier post,NASCAR as we know it died with Dale SR.
 
Nascar had been dead as we loved it for 7-8 years when Sr. died. Nascar died when Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison lost their lives, thus opening the door for Jeff Gordon, and giving birth to the media hyped "young gun", "shot in the arm", "just what the sport needs" racer. I can not believe actual red blooded local racing fans can possibly see Danica as a good thing for Nascar? This is why I have given up on the sport of Nascar it is now a business the sport side is gone NEVER to return as we loved it.
Nothing About the Sport Coporate America Reigns put that on a T Shirt!
 
do a little research on danica before you blast her. granted,it wasnt stock cars,but she has raced open wheels for years in europe.she may work out,she may not,either way,there is gonna be an increase in interest from her participation. i get the feeling that she wont be intimidated by the ole boy network either. she is a tough cookie. and i have to believe she is at least as qualified as steven wallace,casey atwood,and a number of others.
 
I think if you look at Juan Pablo and Danica there is no comparisson there when it comes to talent. And JP has ran good but has not set any fires. To me it is a clean cut business decision. Having your own sponsors and selling t-shirts is where it is. Nascar and the press is gonna love the new topic.
 
Mosidebite said:
I think if you look at Juan Pablo and Danica there is no comparison there when it comes to talent. To me it is a clean cut business decision. Having your own sponsors and selling t-shirts is where it is.
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That's my point. Add Sam Hornish to that list. Nothing against the gal, she is talented no doubt. Just think it's a decision made for the novelty and cash cow potential rather than the expected success. Who knows she may go on to have a successful career in the taxi cabs. I don't watch much Nascar anyway, so I won't be hearing her name all day even though she's running 30 something.
 
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