Danica's decision looms; operators are standing by

THATSRACIN.COM OPINION

Saturday, Jun. 27, 2009

Two big-time racing circuits, IRL and NASCAR, would benefit greatly from Danica Patrick's presence in 2010. Patrick seems intrigued by the challenge presented by NASCAR. Danica Patrick is not just a driver on the Indy Racing League circuit. She is "a brand."

And that brand is . . .

''Determined. It's feminine and, hopefully -- I feel awkward talking about myself like this," Patrick said recently, "it's something beautiful, something fast and exciting and inspiring and something iconic that's never been done before."

That's not just a brand. That's a mission statement.

Patrick is a primary reason thousands of fans will be at Richmond International Raceway for tonight's SunTrust Indy Challenge. Patrick is not the IRL's best driver, but she is the driver whose name is most familiar to even casual sports fans.

The IRL needs her. It is not clear that Patrick needs the IRL any longer. She is in the last year of her contract with Andretti Green Racing, and her representatives are entertaining offers.

Operators are standing by to take the calls.

Will Patrick leave the IRL to drive on the NASCAR circuit?

She only offers hints. "As drivers, we like to challenge ourselves," Patrick said. "If we've done something well, can we do the next thing well?

''NASCAR has so many viewers and so many options inside and outside the car. It's kind of like the Indy 500 every weekend. It's a lot of fun as a driver to be part of something important and something people want to watch."

Patrick should make the jump to NASCAR for her sake and for NASCAR's sake.

Patrick needs to find out how she will do against the big boys and good ol' boys. She needs to find out if she can handle a stock car as well as she handles an open-wheel racer.

And NASCAR needs her.

NASCAR has grown mundane.

Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch are outstanding drivers. They might possess distinct personalities, but they do a great job of hiding those personalities.

The drivers look the same, drive the same and say the same things after a victory, except when Kyle Busch is smashing a guitar in the winner's circle.

Patrick would make NASCAR much livelier. She speaks her mind and does not hesitate to confront other drivers.

Every Sprint Cup race with Patrick would see an increase in interest and attendance.

But let's be clear about this. Her chances for success in NASCAR are slim. Recent IRL drivers who have moved to NASCAR have struggled.

Juan Pablo Montoya, former Indianapolis 500 winner and CART points champion, finally has become competitive in his third year in NASCAR. He's 12th in the Sprint Cup point standings.

Sam Hornish Jr. won three IndyCar points championships, won the Indianapolis 500 in 2006 and was a two-time winner in Richmond. In NASCAR, he's barely competitive and is 26th in points.

Dario Franchitti spent 2008 in the Sprint Cup series, drove in 10 races and did not have a top 20 finish. He returned to the IRL and is second in points this year.

''I think what it shows is it is difficult," Patrick said. "They haven't been driving for the best teams in NASCAR, either. How can you hold them accountable for not doing extremely well when they just don't have the resources?"

In other words, if Patrick goes to NASCAR, she's going to a top team. She understands that talent is wasted without the proper tools.

Patrick is a fine IRL driver, but her success comes with caveats.

She is fifth in the points standings, but did not lead a lap this season until last week in Iowa, the seventh race of the year. She is in her fifth IRL season and has won just one race. She has 15 top five finishes in 74 races.

This hardly portends roaring success in NASCAR.

That's not the point. NASCAR doesn't need her driving ability. NASCAR needs her popularity, her buzz, her brand. It is clear that Patrick wonders how she would fare in NASCAR. She is the rare person who has the chance to find out.

Such an opportunity should not be wasted.

Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or pwoody@timesdispatch.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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