Danica Danica Danica

from the blog.jackaruteonsports.com website

YOU DONT KNOW JACK…

…After a quick trip into NASCAR Danica Patrick takes up her regular job with the IZOD IndyCar Series.

So, what will Danica’s foray into fenders do for the IRL?

Sadly, nothing.

Patrick provided a tremendous boost to NASCAR’s sagging TV ratings. Her merchandise sales quickly busted into the top 5 sales status. She wowed the NASCAR community and they responded. Sure, her on-track performance clearly illustrated the monumental learning curve that faces her. But, she showed the stock car set that contrary to Kyle Petty’s allegations, DP will succeed.

The problem is that in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Patrick’s team can’t hold a candle to the two top teams, Target Chip Ganassi and Team Penske.

Andretti Green Racing has morphed into Andretti Autosport (AA for gearheads?). New staff has buoyed the spirits of their drivers but its about on-track results. In that regard, AA has a long road ahead.

Andretti has what it takes to be successful. Now they just have to show it.

But, I wonder how long it will take.

For Danica Patrick it has to be quick. Ditto for Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti. These guys are not used to the season they endured in 2009. The only reason that they remain at Andretti Autos[port is the fact that there was no opportunity for them to make any upward move team wise. Ask Graham Rahal about this.

They in essence, were stuck with nowhere to go.

I believe that Michael Andretti can right the ship. I truly subscribe to his approach to his becoming the ultimate decision maker. When it was AGR, there were too many layers. Changes had to be made by committee. That took time and it often led to indecision and mediocre results.

For Kanaan and Marco, wins will sooth the savage beast within them. They once were mentor and apprentice, but no more. Marco is a lot like his grandfather. He understands that racing is selfish and he doesn’t see team very often.

Kanaan on the other hand, has tried to be the elder statesman but those days are numbered. His Divorce is behind him now and TK needs the juice that a win brings.

And Patrick?

Well she finds herself in the most difficult position in her career.

DP has always been in the eye of the media storm. But it was much smaller than the army of 4th Estaters that now follow her every move. IZOD IndyCar followers are rightfully split about her. They look through a parochial set of lenses that  often flaw their views. They want the “Old Days” and they went out with the rotary phone!

Like it or not, Danica Patrick has become the face of IndyCar. With that comes scrutiny. Her NASCAR efforts have led many to believe that she is a “short-timer” in IndyCars. Don’t believe it!

But, that having been said. Be certain that Danica will bolt to NASCAR if the IZOD IndyCar Series does not get its act together quickly.

Decisions need to be made about the IZOD IndyCar Series future. For the first time in its history, IndyCar has a top flight “Fortune 500″ series sponsor. IZOD can easily supplant Patrick as IndyCar’s face……..if officials at the IRL allow it to.

In the past, far too much emphasis has been placed upon protecting the “purity” of the sport. Not enough time has been spent prospecting new fans. Nothing has been done to set IndyCar apart from other racing disciplines.

I have always believed that the IZOD IndyCar Series is the ultimate XBox 360 game. Its snowboarding on steroids. The X generation wants to embrace the sport but to do so requires the Series to cater to their  on the edge – outside the box lifestyle. If IndyCar is to succeed that means doing more than upgrading their website.

Maybe it doesn’t mean adopting the Delta Wing design for the future. But what about double file restarts. How ’bout doing more than the lame autograph sessions. Where is the attempt to align with the X-generation?

IZOD can help in all of this. They have marketers that realize the world does not end in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Taking the 33 starters for the Indy 500 to Times square is nice. But it does zilch to further the message.

When ESPN first conceived the X games it was in response to the absence of real coverage for X-generation sports. They saw the void and they so aggressively filled the gap that despite conventional acceptance of things like snow cross, half pipe, etc. ESPN still “owns” the X-Gen.

Right now, The IZOD IndyCar Series is a loosely held collection of individuals wandering through a desert. There is a way out. But I sometimes wonder if they see it.

It will be interesting to follow IZOD’s leadership in this regard. If they are given the reigns, then not only will the series survive, it will  gain market share and become a force in racing again.

Until then, we live and die with the efforts of one driver.

A driver that doesn’t want to leave but may be forced to.