The Obligatory Danica to NASCAR Post
It looks as if my prediction that Danica would stay with IndyCar may be a bit off kilter. Patrick has visited the shops of Stewart-Haas Racing for the second time this year with Tony being quoted that it’s more than likely she will make the jump.
The two-time Sprint Cup and former Indy Racing League champion confirmed that Patrick visited his team’s headquarters again this week, following a first visit in July.
“I know that she’s serious about it,” said Stewart. “She’s come over and just talking for things right now. I know that’s what she wants to do. She looked me straight in the eye and said ‘this is what I want to do - it looks like fun, looks like a lot of work, but it looks like fun.’
“I don’t think she has some misguided idea that it’s going to be easy doing it. She wants to do it the right way, she has the intentions of doing everything right and she’s kind of come to us to see our opinion about how she should go about it.”
“I think she wants to know how to make the transition more than anything and she’s trying to put together her IRL deal and try to figure out how to transition that into NASCAR,” Stewart added.
“I think she’s trying to do it the right way. She’s not just cutting the chord and all of the sudden jumping in a car that she’s unfamiliar with.
“She wants to stay successful where she’s at, but in the meantime try to figure out a way to be able to drive and get some seat time in a car to where she can start learning to where when she does come out she’s got her act together.”
If true that fits my original scenario of her moving from the uncompetitive AGR, signing with Ganassi for the next two years and when the IRL schedule permits racing for Ganassi’s Nationwide team in NASCAR.
ESPN has a story out quoting an infamous “source very close to the situation” claiming Patrick will ‘all but certainly’ be in NASCAR in 2010 and Tony Stewart is the ’star candidate’ to be her partner and mentor in NASCAR.”
Assuming that’s true it’s a turn around for Stewart who less than 10 days ago suggested he had no plans for expansion.
That’s not to say it isn’t possible, Danica will bring a butt load of cash with her and all things considered it’s cheaper to field an NNS entry than a Sprint Cup team.
Will she or won’t she? I’m almost as tired reading about her as I am reading about JV. Not blaming you Marc, news is news, just send me an email when she finally makes up her mind and spare me the drama.
But the thought of her and Robby Gordon trundling along fender to fender at the back of the pack is somewhat intriguing.
If it weren’t for Stewart quotes I wouldn’t have bothered.
His word lends a bit of credence to the possibility of her moving.
As George states in his comment…I’m also tired of the drama about Danica coming over to NASCAR.
Yes, the recent statements by Tony Stewart are to be heard by all…..yet add a layer of reliable insight to the actual intentions of Danica’s move.
I also wonder if such a move is made….how competitive she will be driving the more physically demanding “tin tops”. Yes, I do support a woman driving in the series….but Danica?
What adds to the drama…..is which owner is willing to stick their neck out and endure the learning process with her transition to NASCAR. I’m sure the lure of sponsorship money will add to the decision in bringing Danica over…..