Some of what they're saying
Monday, Nov. 23, 2009
A little more of what some in racing are saying about Danica Patrick and a potential move to NASCAR:
Juan Pablo Montoya, NASCAR driver
“I wouldn’t be driving both cars, to be honest. I wouldn’t do it because they drive so different.
"You’re going to get comfortable in one thing and then you’re going to make it to the other thing, and every time it’s going to be like night and day.”
Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR champion
“It is tough because she is obviously going to have a big spotlight on her. Hit walls, tear up equipment, make mistakes.
“You have to go through that. You cannot short cut that aspect.”
Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner
"I've been impressed with the way her approach has been. She wants to do the right thing and the right pace, and that's the only way she should do it.
"It's not like she's going to try to run Cup out of the gate. I think she's going to see how she likes it, whether she might be into it. I think she's doing it the right way."
Michael Waltrip, NASCAR team owner
"She just wants to race and learn. I know, it's not about money. It's about racing a car and learning.
"It's refreshing to see how serious she is about being in this car, and learning how to do it."
Tony Stewart, NASCAR team owner, former champion
"I just know that she's excited about this and making this change.
"She's looked me straight in the eye and said, 'Hey, this is what I want to do. It looks like fun. It looks like a lot of work, but it looks like fun.'
"She doesn't have some misguided idea that it's going to be easy doing it. She wants to do it the right way. She has the intention of doing everything right."
Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO
"Danica, you know, she has obviously taken a very hard look at this sport. She's obviously a very recognizable, accomplished driver in her own right.
"I would love to see her compete at the highest form of racing in the world. I think she's thinking about it.
"If she does, you know, as they say, that's why you play the game. I don't know how well she'll do.
"She has a lot of talent. She will be good for NASCAR. How well she will perform is like any other driver that comes through the front door and sits in the car: you never know until they do it. She probably doesn't know.
"We'll see what the future brings, but she's certainly very welcome in NASCAR. I've told her that directly and I know others have, too."
Tony Kanaan, driver and Patrick's IRL teammate
"It's a distraction. But that's the price that you pay to be a superstar, and she is. The reality is, she's huge. She's big. She's a huge asset for anybody, for any series.
"It hasn't affected her performance yet. And if it hasn't by now, I don't think it will."
Terry Angstadt, head of IndyCar's commercial division
"We feel pretty comfortable – although it's not our announcement to make and it's a little bit premature – that she's going to be with us and she's going to be with us for a reasonably good term.
"She's a star."
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