NASCAR: When Will The Clock Strike On Danica Patrick?

NASCAR is not an easy place to succeed. The list of drivers to fail in NASCAR is a lot longer than the list of those who have even found moderate success. NASCAR is also a sport where a middle-of-the-pack career could end in a blink of an eye. That should make some wonder if Danica Patrick’s time might be coming sooner rather than later.

Danica Patrick may be one of the most recognized household names in NASCAR. After all, she is breaking down barriers for diversity in a male-dominated sport and doing so by becoming one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers. At this year’s all-star race, Danica was voted in by fans for the third time in four years.

But, what is the purpose of a NASCAR driver? Is it to be a marketing success? Danica is that, in fact it is rare that a TV camera is not on her. Is it to be a role model for many and a great ambassador for charitable causes? Danica does both of those things very well. These are all traits that a NASCAR driver must posses to be at the top of the sport. However, it seems there is only one thing missing in Danica’s formula for being a great NASCAR driver – success on the race track.

In August of 2015, Stewart-Haas Racing announced a multi-year, primary sponsorship deal with Nature’s Bakery for their #10 machine. They also re-signed Danica Patrick to a multi-year contract extension, but failed to disclose the details of the agreement. Many thought that with the exit of Go Daddy, Danica’s tenure might be approaching an end.

Should Stewart-Haas have extended Danica Patrick’s contract? Let’s take a look at some quick stats over her career. Danica has raced in American Le Mans, NASCAR Rolex Grand-Am, Verizon Indycar, ARCA, NASCAR K&N, the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series to name a few. In a career spanning more than 14 years, Danica has a total of 1 win which came in 2008 during her time with Indy. Now, this article isn’t about her entire career, but more so the Sprint Cup specifically. After debuting in 2012 on a limited schedule for Stewart-Haas, Danica has competed in full seasons each year. Her total statistics include 6 top 10’s, 0 top 5’s, and 0 wins. So far in 2016, she has yet to score a top 10. Not exactly an impressive resume to elicit a contract extension.

This brings me back to my original question, what is the purpose of a NASCAR driver? For Stewart-Haas, maybe it is to be that marketing success mentioned above. After setting her only career, top qualifying pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500, she became the top-selling NASCAR driver of merchandise at the time. According to Forbes, she also was the 7th highest paid NASCAR driver in 2015, raking in a total of $13.4 million. But could all of this really be about money? It makes me wonder what young guns like Ty Dillon, Bubba Wallace or Erik Jones could do with equipment and seat time like that of Danica.

These are all questions that no one knows the answer to at this time. In our quest to make sense of it all, there are good things that can be said. Danica has done a tremendous amount to broaden the diversity of NASCAR. This is much needed in a sport that is continuously struggling to replenish the fan-cliff with young, new millenials who will keep it alive for years to come. Not only that, but to prove the acceptance of others in NASCAR, which may be the most stereotyped sport today. Bravo Danica, that is a great feat. Now, I just hope you can find a way to be relevant when it comes to the racing side of the business.

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