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NASCAR Buy or Sell: Should Danica Patrick Go Back to the XFINITY Series?

By Trevor Grasso

Feb 26, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) before the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) before the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Danica Patrick is one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR. Many believe her time with Stewart-Haas Racing is almost over. What should be her next path in NASCAR?

Every NASCAR fan has their own opinion of Danica Patrick. Many fans bought into the Danica hype, which helped skyrocket to the top-level of the sport. Other fans despise the fact that she is so highly touted despite her mediocre career.

Either way, Patrick enters silly season wondering what the future holds for her in NASCAR. Many people, including myself, believe Stewart-Haas Racing will go in a new direction with their No. 10 team as early as the 2018 season. So where does that leave Danica?

If Stewart-Haas decides to replace Patrick, chances are she would catch on elsewhere. She could also decide to call it quits in NASCAR. Let’s assume she still wants to race. Would racing in the Cup Series with a lesser organization be her best move? Or should she maybe consider a full-time return to the XFINITY Series, where she could improve her skills and possibly become more competitive?

Nov 13, 2015; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) during practice for the Quicken Loans Race For Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) during practice for the Quicken Loans Race For Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Danica Patrick should seek a full-time XFINITY Series ride if SHR cuts ties: BUY

There was a time when Patrick ran full-time in the XFINITY Series. That lasted all of one season before she secured a ride in the Cup Series. At age 31, the IndyCar veteran became a Cup Series rookie. The question then was the same question I am asking now. Was she ready?

Like many young drivers getting called up, readiness isn’t always the deciding factor. Danica was a rock star in the making. She was a talented female driver in a sport full of men. Whoever wanted her in one of their rides at the top-level knew they were going to secure her fast, whether she was ready or not as a driver.

More from Danica Patrick

Stewart-Haas Racing did just that. Patrick was brought in to drive the No. 10 car full-time. She immediately became a fan-favorite. Those fans hoped to watch Danica become a great driver. She started her rookie season by winning the pole for the Daytona 500.  Everything was looking up.

Fast forward to the present day. Patrick is in her fifth season. She has not yet found Victory Lane and has only finished in the top 10 seven times. Her best finish in the season standings is 24th twice. Patrick has rarely been competitive during her time in the Cup Series.

When the time comes to start the next chapter in her career, Patrick should truly consider dropping down a level. Sure she may be offered other Cup Series rides, but none of those offers will be from a high-caliber organization like SHR. The best option for her to have a shot at becoming a competitive driver is to run in the XFINITY Series full-time.

Some of the better drivers in the XFINITY Series are veterans who have raced in the Cup Series full-time at some point. Elliott Sadler and Justin Allgaier both fit that description and they are currently the top two drivers in the standings. With her experience, Danica could become a top driver in that series.

A run in the XFINITY Series wouldn’t be the end of her Cup Series career. She would most definitely run a part-time schedule in the premier series. If successful after a year or two, another top Cup Series team may come calling after she proves she can compete. Maybe she can put together a few wins in the XFINITY Series. Wouldn’t it be something to see Danica Patrick in contention for an XFINITY Series championship after all these years of lackluster racing in the Cup Series?

Next: Kevin Harvick in the Winner Spotlight

What do you think the future holds for Danica? Can she find success in this sport? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter @Beyond_The_Flag! If you think you have a hot topic for next week’s edition of Buy or Sell, let me know on Twitter @T_Grasso11 with the topic and include #BuyorSellBTF and your tweet may be featured!

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