Danica Patrick: Boom or Bust?
The first question that comes to mind is will Danica Patrick be successful or not in NASCAR. Many have already slammed her as a bust just after three races. Now, don’t get too far ahead of yourselves because this weekend’s race at Bristol is just race four of thirty-three. It is really hard to make that harsh of a judgment so early in the season. Now, I say she will be successful in NASCAR and of course those who disagree with me say that I’m biased because I like Dale Earnhardt Jr. etc. You’re wrong on that as well. Let’s look at her season so far!
Daytona was…bad…for Danica quite frankly. As far as Nationwide Series goes, her teammate Cole Whitt did push her pretty hard into turn three which got her loose and slammed her into the wall. Rookie mistakes on both part I believe, that could have been corrected and the entire incident could have even been avoided. That was not the first wreck she was involved in that wasn’t her fault during speedweeks. In the Sprint Cup Series she took the hardest hit I’ve ever seen a car take during the Gatorade Duels. Again, it wasn’t her fault. Jamie McMurray came down on Aric Almirola who slammed into Danica’s car sending her sliding uncontrollably into the inside wall on the backstretch. Then again in the Daytona 500 she was involved in a wreck, which was not her fault. She runs well at superspeedways, which makes up a few races on the schedule. Look for her to finish strong at these tracks, granted she avoids trouble and the “big one.”
Phoenix was another disaster for Danica. Short tracks are not her specialty, so there is a small collection of races you can expect some quite disastrous results from her. But she has seemed to improve over time and is working hard to finish without wrecking. Next, she has to prove she can stay on the lead lap.
Finally, Las Vegas she shines and proved herself; finishing 12th a year after she finish 4th at the same race. Danica is quite successful on the mile and a half tracks. Those tracks make up a good portion of the Nationwide Series schedule. With that said, expect strong finishes at these tracks like: Texas, Charlotte, Kentucky, and Atlanta. In fact, I would not be surprised if she gets her first win at one of these tracks.
Now, it’s time for Bristol this weekend and as I said before, she is not strong at the short tracks, so you can expect a long day for her. But mark my words: Danica Patrick will be successful in NASCAR. It takes time to learn the basics and then eventually learn even more to be successful. You also have to remember this is her first full time season and it will be one of learning. So while she may not be the Jimmie Johnson of females and the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year, next year will be a great year for Danica.
I think to prove everyone wrong who doubts her, she should run at least two more years with JR Motorsports before running fulltime in the Sprint Cup Series. If you people, (especially those who hate her), can just give her some time to gain experience, she will show you all that she can race and beat the big boys! I’m not sure if she can pull off a Top 10 finish in this year’s points standings, but I think she can definitely finish in the Top 15 at the end of the year. And there is nothing wrong with a Top 15, it is a very respectable result. And if you criticize that, I ask you, her haters, to step inside that No. 7 Go Daddy.com Chevrolet and prove you are better. My bet is on Danica being better than you!
Well that is it for this lap, thanks for reading, and let me know what you think below or on twitter @bryantdouglass!
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