Danica Snubbed at Opening of Daytona 500?

[Jericoke]

Is there anyone who doesn't think that Patrick is way over rated? There are many far, far more talented female drivers active today. The only reason Patrick gets all of the hype (and, therefor, the lion's share of the sponsorship) is her willingness to take her clothes off for the cameras. If you doubt that, watch some of her soft-core porn Go Daddy adverts.

Yes, racing should do more to feature female drivers. Why not do it for what they do on the track? Sarah Fisher is a real racer. She's absolutely dedicated to the sport. The same could be said for Simona de Silvestro. I'd even rate Liz Haliday ahead of Patrick.

As I said earlier, Fisher started her own team from scratch. de Silvestro raced at Indy last year with badly burned hands. I don't see anything close to that kind of dedication from Patrick. If she has even the slightest problem, She goes looking for someone to blame.

One week earlier, Courtney Force won one of the NHRA's biggest races, the Winternationals at Pamona, in the Funny Car division. Why didn't that get the hype that Patrick did for a pole?

My 13 year old grand daughter wants to race. I think Patrick's example of "it's not what you show on the track, it's what you show in the publicity photos" sets a terrible precedent.

Careful about disproving your point... de Silvestro does what she has to to get ahead:  driving injured.  Danica does what she has to to get ahead:  porn.

I can't imagine that 13 year old Patrick set a goal of selling her body to win a pole position at Daytona. 

I agree she sets a terrible example for young girls aspiring to race, but don't knock the effort she's made to get where she's going.  Considering some of blatant disregard for human life men have engaged in the past of motorsport in the name of winning, Danica's act is downright pedestrian.

[F1fanaticBD]

You can have the pics Ian if you want, don't give lame excuses of Cos and Monty 

By the way I think, it will be you who will explode before anyone else 

[lkjohnson1950]

Courtney didn't get the PR because she wasn't the first woman to win a Funny Car race, her sister and Melanie Troxel have both done it. Speaking of fair, Mel is arguably a better driver than any of the Force girls, so why doesn't she have a ride? I agree with Jeri, Danica does what she feels she needs to to get the ride. If doing racy pictures for SI and suggestive commercials for Go Daddy will get her a Stewart Haas car then I regret that she feels she needs to, but I respect the drive to succeed. I don't think she's as talented as Sarah, but I do think she's more driven and better at promoting herself. I hope she wins a race this year. 

[cosworth151]

Where would you draw the line, then? Back in IMSA (now ALMS) in the 1980's, John Paul Sr & Jr smuggled cocaine to fund their racing. Was that OK, too?

[John S]

Where would you draw the line, then? Back in IMSA (now ALMS) in the 1980's, John Paul Sr & Jr smuggled cocaine to fund their racing. Was that OK, too?

       

You really, really don't like Danica do yah Cos. 

[F1fanaticBD]

I think Ms. Danica will pave way for others, so that instead of doing the showbiz thing, young aspiring drivers will be able to shine only showing their ability of racing. Given the fact that she earned a pole, no matter the circumstances she did earn it fair and square. So she must have some sort of skill to achieve that. Now it is a matter of time to see whether this was a fluke or she has got more to show us.

  Ian I am only talking about her driving skills 

[Ian]

Of course you are BD, you would no more look at her lovely curvy body than I would.   

[Jericoke]

Where would you draw the line, then? Back in IMSA (now ALMS) in the 1980's, John Paul Sr & Jr smuggled cocaine to fund their racing. Was that OK, too?

Could you imagine an entire major racing series based on a group of men going to a Florida beach and showing off the cars they use for running contraband?!

[lkjohnson1950]

While I think the world might be a better place overall if cocaine were legal, it isn't. The Pauls were breaking the law, Danica isn't. A number of female athletes have posed in swimsuits or less for SI or ESPN, are they all untalented in their sports? Sarah is not returning to the driver's seat and honestly, though I like her, I'm not sure Simona is more talented than Danica.

[PG_Gabriel]

I agree that Danica gets more hype than she deserves, but she is still a very talented driver. Sure she always has driven for big budget teams, but you still need skill to be competitive in a fast car. I bet if you put her in some sort of amateur racing event she would kick everyones ass. I'm not a huge Danica fan, but she is still loaded with talent (at least on the oval) I think NACAR will be good for her, I wouldn't be surprised to see her win a race or two this season. Putting all the model stuff on the side, she is still a damn good racing driver. The best? No, but still worthy of being a profesional.

[vintly]

I know we're talking about Nascar not F1, but as Bernie repeatedly says, they're in the entertainment business. Driving talent is not the be all and end all.

[Dare]

While I think the world might be a better place overall if cocaine were legal, it isn't. The Pauls were breaking the law, Danica isn't. A number of female athletes have posed in swimsuits or less for SI or ESPN, are they all untalented in their sports? Sarah is not returning to the driver's seat and honestly, though I like her, I'm not sure Simona is more talented than Danica.

I can't see how legalizing cocaine could benefit the
world in any way except for maybe creating  a new
source of tax money.

[cosworth151]

In the long term, I think a little recreational nose candy is far less harmful than making a generation of young girls think that they have to become pole dancers to get anywhere in racing.

As for her driving, she would do better as a baseball pitcher. She's had lots of practice throwing her crew under the bus. Has she ever had a shunt that she didn't blame on everyone other than herself? Has she ever lost a race that she didn't blame on the car or the crew?

[John S]

Has she ever had a shunt that she didn't blame on everyone other than herself? Has she ever lost a race that she didn't blame on the car or the crew?

Sounds just like cry baby Vettel.   

[Dare]

In the long term, I think a little recreational nose candy is far less harmful than making a generation of young girls think that they have to become pole dancers to get anywhere in racing.

As for her driving, she would do better as a baseball pitcher. She's had lots of practice throwing her crew under the bus. Has she ever had a shunt that she didn't blame on everyone other than herself? Has she ever lost a race that she didn't blame on the car or the crew?

I think there's a little more toit than a little harmless
nose candy.Your supporting drug cartel's and ask the
families of people whose lives were ruined  by a little
harmless drugs how harmless they were.Pot yes but
harder drugs no,that's just my opinion