What the hell does Danica Patrick have that a real driver doesn’t – besides a co-joined sponsor? I understand that money talks, but jeez louise, in her case it seems to out-shout the room! Danica has yet to prove she is a more talented driver than a huge number of people who immediately come to mind. There are talented young (and not so young) drivers out there spending a lot of time in sub-standard equipment, struggling to make a race. She is a she and she’s willing to make soulless concessions but that shouldn’t be more important, hold more weight than actual racing talent.
Why the rant?
I have read another headline that has my blood boiling. Once again she gets a free pass into races – ‘Danica Patrick acquires 2012 Sprint Cup owner points through deal struck by Stewart-Haas Racing’. Seriously???? Why??? If she would’ve come through the ranks, go or go homing like she should’ve, she might not need concessions. It enrages me that she has never proven her talent as a driver, as opposed to Dario Franchitti, but she is treated like Tony Stewart. Tony has won and won a lot! If it has a steering wheel he’s probably won a race driving it. When Smoke moves to a new series/vehicle expectations are reasonably high. Shortly thereafter he will deliver upon his promise. Danica was mediocre in a limited Indy field. Due to her notoriety and sex she moved to NASCAR with pomp, circumstance, and special treatment. And, so far, she’s proven, like a lot of drivers that she can wreck a car spectacularly and make stupid moves. Dario, winner of multiple races, moves to NASCAR and washes out. I was bummed to see him go, but I recognised his struggle and understood his decision to return to the sport in which he excelled.
The NASCAR garage reminds me of professional wrestling – an exclusive world of extraordinarily talented individuals and mediocre wannabes, like an extremely competitive, rather dysfunctional family. It isn’t an easy world to become a part of, but the only world for those with talent. Smoke thrives in that world, because he has the immense talent and skill to excel. Danica is a wannabe in that world. She doesn’t have the talent, or the skill. She’s like the Dillon brothers – someone is buying her way into the elite ranks in spite of her proven mediocrity. Why can’t they let talent/value develop naturally? I understand NASCAR needs money, but let’s not damage quality, distract from quality in order to spend time on marketable mediocrity. It would be nice if racing had a bit more parity, but then again, it would be even better if the world exhibited the desire for parity espoused by NASCAR.