Danica lasted 1 lap.

[jsharmon7]

It's not that I think she's a bad driver, she's just not nearly as good as the media makes her out to be. Popularity is not an indicator of talent or skill. She's also with a good team, so I'm sure she'll do okay. I just don't see her winning a race or competing for a championship.

 

[Hookeye]

Excellent graphic IG65!

I knew Danica critics wanted her to do porn instead of NASCAR.

Smack dat azz!

 

[sepe]

Excellent graphic IG65!

I knew Danica critics wanted her to do porn instead of NASCAR.

Smack dat azz!

She doesn't have an overly attractive face and her body isn't all that impressive. If people want to see a better looking female driver, Shannon McIntosh or Leilani Münter.

 

[24Carat]

From a marketing angle having marginal skills she is a female version of Jr. basically. They are both driving rides from Hendrick so compare those two at the end of the season. Yes, I know she's driving the National series but a comparison will still be interesting.

 

[Hookeye]

She doesn't have an overly attractive face and her body isn't all that impressive. If people want to see a better looking female driver, Shannon McIntosh or Leilani Münter.

Danica doesn't do a thing for me. Just think some of her critics proly like her more than they openly admit

 

[Stschil]

For those on the Danica Bandwagon because she's a She in a male dominated sport, there are quite a few other Ladies out there that have more talent in their pinky toes than Panica will ever have.

Different driving area, I know but here are but a few examples:

(Left: Ashely Force. Middle: Hillary Will. Right: Melanie Troxel)

And of course, The Great Shirley Muldowney

Having been around both IRL and NHRA racing professionally and as a mere fan, I am aquainted with, worked with and/or know the annointed one (Danica), Hillary, Ashley, Melanie, and Shirely. I can tell you, the pics above are of genuinely talented ladies, who pursue(d) their driving careers for the love of the sport, not the fame. They are worth respect and admiration. They are also real human beings, personable, polite, Good people.

 

[bman1962]

I stood next to Ashley Force a couple years ago at the nationals in Indy and let me tell you, she puts Danica to shame as far as looks go!!!!!!!!!!
She is also a great racer!

 

[Ogre]

Danica... nothing but a marketing gimmick. Im glad she left the IRL, now maybe somone with more talent will get a ride. BTW, in the clip of her crash, How many times did DW say JJ "took a hard lick!" ?? maybe it was from Danica, I imagine thats how she would do it...lol

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

She's living proof that NASCAR is the fans' sport. She's only mildly talented but gets big money and coverage because of her popularity. Her merchandise sells and she's always a topic because that's what the fans want. She's not even in the top half, IMO, as far as talent but she'll be a huge factor in the media every week. NASCAR is more about popularity than it is about racing. I'm not saying that anything is wrong with that, just saying that's how it is.

Dale Jr should have told you that a decade ago, but since he is a good old boy he gets a pass I guess.

 

[jsharmon7]

Dale Jr should have told you that a decade ago, but since he is a good old boy he gets a pass I guess.

I agree, I have never thought he was anywhere near as talented as he was popular. The only difference I see is that at least he's won some races. I really don't see Danica winning a race. So while neither of them live up to their hype or popularity from a talent standpoint, he's at least won a few. Aside from Motegi, she's not won anything.

 

[GBuck]

Danica is around solely because of her looks. She is a cry baby first and a mediocre driver second. Anyone else with her record in races would have been washed out of the big times a long time ago. The true IndyCar fans were getting tired of it and the WWE of the auto racing world (NASCAR) gladly accepted her into their ranks.

 

[patience0830]

I'm starting to think there are a bunch of guys here who're jealous they can't drive the car. OR date the driver.

Give her a season and see how she fits in at the end. She'll either be better or gone.

 

[GBuck]

I'm starting to think there are a bunch of guys here who're jealous they can't drive the car. OR date the driver.

Give her a season and see how she fits in at the end. She'll either be better or gone.

She hasn't gotten better or been gone. She has remained in the racing spot light and has won one race in almost a decade. As I said Any other driver would have been gone long ago.

She couldn't keep out of the wall in the Indy series so, now we're going to give her a HEAVIER $1mil car. Greeeeaaaat.

 

[GBuck]

Side note:

How many Columbians does it take to delay the Daytona 500? Just Juan.

 

[patience0830]

Easy McGillicudy!

She hasn't gotten better or been gone. She has remained in the racing spot light and has won one race in almost a decade. As I said Any other driver would have been gone long ago.

She couldn't keep out of the wall in the Indy series so, now we're going to give her a HEAVIER $1mil car. Greeeeaaaat.

I think you're just mad she said she was busy Sunday and she really got the day off.

Lighten up. More pressing stuff available to get wound up about.

Happy is on the inside. Some people are unfamiliar with that patch of internal territory. I don't want my INGO buds to be in that category.

 

[Tripp11]

She hasn't gotten better or been gone. She has remained in the racing spot light and has won one race in almost a decade. As I said Any other driver would have been gone long ago.

She couldn't keep out of the wall in the Indy series so, now we're going to give her a HEAVIER $1mil car. Greeeeaaaat.

Alright, I must interject here because now the comments are just getting silly.

Ask anyone associated with the IndyCar Series about the one positive aspect of Danica's talent behind the wheel, and every single one of them will tell you that she didn't tear up a bunch of equipment. She's generally regarded in the paddock as being a driver who would be able to get the tub back in one piece and achieve a solid result.

Her points standings at the end of the past ICS seasons would clearly indicate that.

That same positive quality also meant that she did not rack up a bunch of laps led, nor did she have a bunch of wins (just the one Motegi win).

As for her still being around, her PR team has done an amazing job of creating a "brand" and the media has an insatiable appetite for everything Dancia.

 

[Tripp11]

Danica... nothing but a marketing gimmick. Im glad she left the IRL, now maybe somone with more talent will get a ride. BTW, in the clip of her crash, How many times did DW say JJ "took a hard lick!" ?? maybe it was from Danica, I imagine thats how she would do it...lol

Well, then you'll be glad to know that a young Canadian by the name of James Hinchcliffe has taken over Danica's old ride with Andretti Autosport, and GoDaddy will be sponsoring him. Thus, it will be a fully funded car on the grid. James Hinchcliffe is a very, very, very talented young driver who I expect big things from this year.

 

[Tripp11]

OK.. lets bookmark this thread, and come back at the end of the season.. Than compare the 3 drivers you posted, vs. Danica... Thats 3:1 odds... I'll still say she will be on bottom of the list..

Danica is only running 10 Cup races this year with Tommy Baldwin Racing/Stewart Haas Racing. So, a season long comparison will be very difficult. Plus, a comparison to Cup drivers who have infinitely more experience than her behind the wheel of a Cup car isn't fair either.

She's running a full Nationwide Series schedule this year in very good equipment. Let's first compare her to her teammate, Cole Whitt (who is one helluva talent), who is running a full schedule in the same equipment. That would be the better beacon of comparing her talent.

 

[MagicKev]

First off...NASCAR is not in the racing business. They are in the entertainment business. It's the entertainment that sells. It just happens to be racing. Second...she is as good as or better than Kyle Petty...and she has better hair. IF she only does as well as Kyle did(especially his last 13 years), does she 'deserve' to still be there?

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

Wow, fellas. Quit picking on her. She had a tough time at Daytona. Crashed a couple of cars. She also blew two engines, a crew chief and a right front tire changer.

Give her some slack.