Danica Patrick finishes in sixth place in first stock car race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Using a baseball analogy, Danica Patrick is going from one impressive showing in a Class A game to a Triple-A league in one week.
That sounds pretty imposing. Actually, it's much worse.
The reality is Patrick is going from a weak Class A league to a Triple-A game with almost all big leaguers in the lineup.
That gives you some idea of the jump Patrick is making to race in the Nationwide Series event at Daytona on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
And that's why the people around her were hesitant at first to commit to having her race in the Daytona show.
"It's pretty much a [Sprint] Cup race," Kelley Earnhardt, Patrick's boss at JR Motorsports, said during the media tour. "So many Cup drivers will be in it, Dale [Earnhardt] Jr., Tony Stewart and many others. She knows how important it is for her to have the respect of the other drivers."
Patrick earned some respect with her remarkable showing in the ARCA event Saturday night at Daytona, finishing sixth after almost crashing and working her way back to the front in the final laps.
Most observers came away from that race believing Patrick greatly exceeded expectations. It all but forced JR Motorsports to put Patrick in the Nationwide race this weekend.
This isn't just any old Nationwide race. It's probably is the most difficult Nationwide event of the season.
Many of the best drivers in Sprint Cup will compete in the race. They are pros at knowing how to use the draft in a high-speed restrictor-plate event in which the cars are bumping and banging on every lap.
Patrick got her feet wet in that style of stock car racing last weekend, but ARCA is not NASCAR, and it's certainly not a Daytona Nationwide event.
Patrick is on top of the world at the moment after her impressive showing in her stock car debut. Expectations for her first NASCAR race were high enough before that event. Now they're through the roof.
Back to the baseball analogy: Danica doubled off the wall in her first Class A at-bat. But she's playing in The Show now, so don't expect the same results.
If she brings the car home in one piece and finishes in the top 20, tip your hat to her and realize she made an equally impressive effort in a much tougher game.
A familiar sight the past four years in the Sprint Cup Series: Jimmie Johnson and wife Chandra celebrating in Victory Lane.
Not once in Johnson's historic run to four straight championships did my brethren select Johnson as the preseason favorite to win the crown.
In 2006 and 2008, Jeff Gordon was the media selection for the top spot. In 2007, we went with Tony Stewart to take the title. And last year, even after Johnson had won three consecutive championships, the media picked Carl Edwards to win it.
Talk about no respect.
"It's about time," Johnson said. "I'm glad the media thinks we're the team to beat, but this is the first time in four years, so that might not be a good thing."
One of two things will happen. Either the media finally will get it right and Johnson will keep his historic streak going, or someone else will win the championship this year and the media will get it wrong for the fifth consecutive year.
Gordon was sixth in 2006 and seventh in 2008 when reporters thought he would win it. Stewart was sixth in 2007 when he was the media darling. And Edwards, coming off a nine-win season in 2008, went winless and finished 11th when the media picked him to win the championship last year.
So the driver favored by media the past four years didn't even finish in the top five.
Well, good luck with that, Jimmie.
As for the rest of the top five, the media selected Gordon second, Stewart third, Kyle Busch fourth and Edwards fifth.
The media poll also indicates reporters believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make a big improvement this year, but fail to make the Chase. Earnhardt was 13th in the media rankings.
Brian Vickers and Kasey Kahne -- two drivers who made the 2009 Chase -- didn't make the top 12 in the preseason poll.
The media also predicted Edwards to win the Nationwide Series title. I'm betting we get that one right. Ron Hornaday Jr. was picked to win his fifth Camping World Truck Series title.
By the way, the media did pick Johnson to win the championship once before. It was 2005, the year he finished fifth. So that means we'll get it wrong six straight years if JJ doesn't get No. 5 in 2010.
A lot of folks across the country would say welcome to the club. Others would gladly accept that sacrifice compared to no pay at all.
However, this is a little different. The lost purse money for the competitors is going into the pockets of the track owners. Track income just got a big bump.
We're not talking about chump change. Take Texas Motor Speedway, for example.
In 2009, TMS paid a total of $18.3 million for it six NASCAR events, two races in each series. That's a $1.8 million savings for 2010.
One-quarter of the purse money comes from television revenue paid to the tracks, more of which the speedways can keep now.
But the tracks aren't padding the coffers. What this really does is help make up for the income speedways lost last year with decreased attendance and reduced ticket prices.
This also is an indirect way for NASCAR to pay itself, at least as far as the France family is concerned. The Frances own NASCAR, but they also have controlling interest in International Speedway Corp., which owns 12 tracks that play host to NASCAR events.
Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports Inc. empire owns eight tracks that have NASCAR events, including TMS. Smith, by the way, proposed last week that NASCAR pay more purse money for winning.
So what about the race teams and drivers? They are taking a hit. This isn't quite as bad as it seems because TV revenue is increasing slightly this year (about 2.5 percent).
That aside, let's illustrate how this could affect one driver.
Clint Bowyer finished 15th in the 2009 standings. Assuming he had the exact same results in 2010, his race winnings would drop $441,066, from about $4.4 million in 2009 to about $3.9 million in 2010.
Drivers typically keep about 40 to 50 percent of purse earnings.
Yes, I know. You aren't shedding any tears for racing millionaires. And no Cup teams, with the possible exception of a couple of start-and-parkers, make ends meet off prize money from races.
That doesn't come close to paying the bills for Cup teams with several hundred employees. It takes millions of dollars in sponsorship.
But any cut in income is painful these days for NASCAR teams, many of which have renegotiated with sponsors for less money to keep them around.
For the speedway owners, congratulations. Things just got a little better in a tough economy.
For drivers and teams, things just got a little worse. Welcome to the club.
Kelley Earnhardt is the general manager of JR Motorsports. In other words, she runs the place.
But she says her famous little brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has to pull rank in the company every now and then.
Kelley gave a funny example last week during the annual NASCAR media tour.
"One day recently we were talking in my office and it got heated," Kelley said. "I used the F-word a couple of times, so [Dale Jr.] just turned around and walked out.
"I thought, 'Good. He's gone for the day. He won't be back.' Then about 15 minutes later he comes strolling back in my office and he's got a yellow slip of paper in his hand. He hands it to me.
"I said, 'What's this?'
"He said, 'It's from HR [Human Resources]. I had you written up. You said the F-word to the president of the company.'
"I looked at him and said, 'That was between brother and sister.'
"He said, 'Not here it's not.' Then he walked out again."
Even now in their mid-30s, the Earnhardt siblings still have their territorial moments. But Kelley is the glue that holds everything together in her brother's growing empire.
While Junior is off racing his No. 88 Sprint Cup car for Hendrick Motorsports and handling the many duties that entails, Kelley runs the show for Junior's numerous other endeavors.
Kelley, 37, handles the day-to-day decisions of the Nationwide Series team (she was instrumental in bringing Danica Patrick to the program) along with making sure all of her brother's other businesses run properly.
Right now, Kelley's top priority is making sure Patrick is ready for her stock car debut, which comes in the ARCA race at Daytona on Feb. 6.
Is dealing with the hype around Patrick any different than dealing with her celebrity brother?
"Oh no," she said. 'It's totally the same. We definitely can handle that. We have that part figured out."
At least Patrick won't write her up for cussing at the boss.
CONCORD, N.C. -- I have the perfect solution for finding a way to beat Jimmie Johnson.
I also have the perfect guy to replace John Darby as Sprint Cup Series director. Darby is taking a new position at NASCAR, which will be announced Thursday.
With four straight Cup titles between them, Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson are the most feared crew chief-driver combo in NASCAR.
And I can fix both things in one move: Name Chad Knaus as Darby's replacement.
Knaus is the mastermind crew chief who has guided Johnson to four consecutive Cup titles. He's also seen as the most innovative guy in the Cup garage.
That's the nice way to put it. Others might say he's the guy who has found the most ingenious ways to skirt the rules.
And NASCAR has a history of convincing the man who outsmarted it the most to switch sides and become its top policeman. I won't be harsh and say the biggest cheater, just the man who was best at pushing the envelope. Former Cup director Gary Nelson is one example.
So Knaus is the right man for the job. You couldn't fool him. For Knaus, it's been there, done that.
But most teams would welcome the move for one obvious reason: It would weaken Johnson, possibly ending his reign of invincibility.
It's a no-brainer, solving two issues with one decision.
Only one problem: It ain't happening. Knaus isn't interested, not now, anyway. That was his clear response Wednesday during the annual Hendrick Motorsports stop on the media tour.
"But I do have an idea about it," Knaus said, looking very serious. "I think [the Cup director job] should be ruled by committee. A group of people that interacts together to make a rule."
Then Knaus delivered his punch line: "And this is my committee right here."
Knaus was pointing to the three men sitting next to him, the three other Cup crew chiefs at Hendrick.
Right, Chad. Very funny.
But seriously, Chad, would you ever consider it?
"I don't know," he said. "If I could contribute and give back to the sport, I might do it. The situation would have to be right. But I don't foresee leaving Hendrick Motorsports anytime soon."
Knaus is 38. He said he is giving some thought to what he wants to do when "he grows up," as he puts it.
"I can't be a crew chief forever," he said. "I can go until I'm 42 or 44 before I feel I need to make a significant change. I'm going to do something else at some point. I think this is going to be a defining year to lay out some of that stuff for me."
For now, NASCAR will have to find a Cup director elsewhere. Some people mentioned Robbie Loomis, the GM of Richard Petty Motorsports.
Loomis laughed at that idea when asked about it Tuesday.
"Oh no," he said. "I've got my arms full right now at Richard Petty Motorsports and everything we're doing here.
"I think John has done a tremendous job of putting a strong arm around things. That position is a tough job, but he's been very fair. I think the world of John. I was surprised to hear [Darby is changing jobs], but at the same time, I'm sure it's very taxing."
Another candidate could be Nationwide Series director Joe Balash. He was a little coy Wednesday when asked whether he wanted the job.
"There are a lot of us that work very well together within NASCAR," Balash said. "As we unfold this process, we'll see how things go. Whether I'm in those talks or not, the Nationwide Series is very cool place to be."
Good answer, Joe. It shows you're ready for that Cup job. But could he step right in and take over for Darby?
"I don't think anybody can step right in and replace John Darby in the garage," Balash said. "It's going to be hard for anyone to get to John's level and take the series forward."
I'm betting Knaus could do it, giving Cup a spark by setting his version of the rules and forcing Johnson to win without him.
But Chad says, "No thanks." Trying to win a fifth consecutive championship at Hendrick is good enough to keep him in his current role.
"Honestly, this is a really nice place to work," he said.
CONCORD, N.C. -- Leave it to the old football coach to lead the charge. Only one day into the annual NASCAR Media Tour, the message is obvious:
"Come back to us."
That theme was emphasized by NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs, who has given his share of motivational halftime speeches over his years as an NFL head coach.
Team owner Joe Gibbs says exciting times lie ahead for NASCAR fans in 2010.
Gibbs addressed the media, but he spoke mainly to a group of 100 fans invited to the proceedings Monday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
"We just finished some exciting meetings," Gibbs said of recent talks the teams and track operators had with NASCAR officials. "A lot of things were discussed, and fans are going to be excited about what they see.
"I can honestly say everyone is pointed in the same direction. Everyone is pulling together. The racetracks are all on board. So are the race teams and the drivers."
The only thing missing was a chorus of "Kumbaya."
Then Gibbs made his final pitch. The former Super Bowl-winning coach knows how to close on a point and get everyone fired up to play.
"We want to bounce back, but I think we'll come roaring back," he said. "I'm as excited about the sport and our future as I've ever been. You're going to like it."
NASCAR officials and the people who work in the sport want to make you happy. And they aren't just saying nice things. Actions speak louder than words.
Marcus Smith, the president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, showed he means it. CMS is replacing 15,000 of its old frontstretch seats with new seats that are 25 percent wider.
Fans who purchase a season ticket get their name on the seat. They also get to keep the old seat as a souvenir.
Joe Gibbs Racing showed the fans they mean it. On Monday, JGR drivers, along with old Joe, gave the fans rides around CMS in pace cars.
It's all part of the 2010 plan to bring back the fans. More examples are coming this week when NASCAR officially announced changes to the car and relaxed rules on restrictor-plate racing.
"The tough times we've gone through have given us two things," Smith said. "One is a new sense that we're all in this together. And two, I think we all got a wake-up call to put the customers first."
The economic problems across the nation hit NASCAR hard last year. Attendance was down at most races, but it wasn't just about the economy. Some fans were unhappy with the direction of the sport.
The perception, whether true or not, was the racing suffered at times. NASCAR addressed that at midseason by going to double-file restarts among the lead-lap cars.
Judging by Monday's talk, it was only the beginning. The thought process this season is to give the fans what they want, or at least try to move in that direction.
Cooperation and agreement of ideas is at an all-time high. J.D. Gibbs, the president of JGR and Joe's son, said he's never seen this much unity in NASCAR.
"It's encouraging to see the tracks, NASCAR, the owners and the teams all on the same page," J.D. said. "I haven't seen that before in my 18 years involved in the sport. Usually, different teams want different things. Now we're all together."
Everyone having the same objective, at least publicly, doesn't happen often in NASCAR. Instead of "what's best for me," it's "what's best for all of us."
"The key is making the sport something the fans will flock to," J.D. said. "A lot is involved in that -- making it more economical, making better racing, lots of things under the heading of 'taking care of the fans.'"
So bring in Captain Stubing and jump on the Love Boat. Have some fun.
Give Brian France credit: He and NASCAR are trying to make rules changes to improve Sprint Cup racing. But don't expect him to say it's probably just a shot in the dark.
Three things you won't hear said this week during the annual NASCAR Media Tour:
1) NASCAR chairman Brian France: "We don't know if these changes will work, but we're going for it to try to shake things up."
2) Richard Petty and George Gillett: "This is our last shot."
3) Lance McGrew: "Can I make this guy good again? I don't know."
They may think it, but they won't say it.
As always, unbridled optimism will be the dominant theme on the media tour, which starts Monday in the Charlotte area and continues through Thursday.
Every team is equal in January. Every driver thinks he can win. Every crew chief thinks his guys have worked harder than everyone else to improve. Every team owner believes his operation is on the rise.
Some of that gung-ho attitude toward 2010 will pay off. Some of it won't.
But the things people say on the tour, and what they really think, aren't always the same. You have to cut through all the spin.
The thoughts listed above are what these people may be thinking (but won't reveal) as they make their case this week for the upcoming season.
Let's start at the top.
1) NASCAR and France will formally announce this week the plan to replace the rear wing of the Cup car with a spoiler, similar to what was on the previous version of the car.
The goal is to give the car more balance, front to back, and therefore, improve side-by-side racing. No one knows for sure if it will work. Wind tunnel tests and track tests will come before the switch takes place, probably in March.
Whether it works or not, NASCAR officials are doing this for you. It's what most fans want to see -- a willingness by NASCAR to alter the car and try to make it better.
This is a big first step. Many fans didn't like the wing. It's ugly, they say. A spoiler also is a retro move to make this car look a little more like the old one.
NASCAR officials also will make changes at the restrictor-plate tracks and relax the rules, letting the drivers drive and police themselves a little more.
The bump-drafting restrictions, smaller plates and yellow-line rules stifled competition, and in many cases, didn't make the racing safer.
These changes aren't likely to make things safer, either, but it might improve the racing. Again, no one really knows, but NASCAR is trying to appease the fans and improve the show.
2) For the second consecutive year, Richard Petty Motorsports is merging with another team. Last year it was Evernham Motorsports, which is owned by Gillett. This time, it's Yates Racing, which has a partnership with Roush Fenway Racing.
Richard Petty needs his latest merger to work well or this could be his last shot at the big time.
So RPM moves from Dodge to Ford engines. Aligning with Roush should help, but a lot of things have changed for Petty, Gillett and the Yates organization over the last two seasons.
They will tell us this merger is a great move. But can they put all the pieces together and make this work? It's not a Hail Mary pass, but it is third-and-10 with the game on the line.
All four drivers for the new RPM -- Kasey Kahne, AJ Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler and Paul Menard -- are in the fold only for 2010. Keeping Kahne (and the Budweiser sponsorship) is the top priority, but not likely to happen.
If Kahne leaves, RPM needs to show enough to keep the other people in place. This is it. This move has to work.
3) McGrew is a smart guy, smart enough to know he has one of the most important tasks in NASCAR: helping Dale Earnhardt Jr. become a contender again.
McGrew isn't alone in the endeavor. An entire regiment of Hendrick Motorsports experts are on a mission to get it done. But as the returning crew chief for the No. 88 Chevy, McGrew is the focal point of the effort.
McGrew will say he's confident this year will be better. But deep down, he has to wonder if he can find that spark to bring Earnhardt back.
If he does, McGrew goes to the top of the heap in the Cup garage as a leader and motivator. He becomes an Angelo Dundee (Muhammad Ali's legendary trainer) of motor sports.
This week's tour talk is about hoping for the best. But the real story sometimes is about trying to avoid the worst.
Terry Blount covers motorsports for ESPN.com after 25 years as a sports reporter and columnist at three major metro newspapers.
Terry began covering auto racing in 1995 at the Houston Chronicle before moving to the Dallas Morning News in 2001 as its motorsports columnist. Terry joined ESPN.com in 2006.
He is an honors graduate of the University of Houston with a B.A. in radio/television communications.
Terry has earned numerous writing honors in his career, including the Citation for Writing Excellence from Hearst Newspapers and the Excellence in Journalism Award from the Houston Press Club.
Terry Blount
