VIVA LAS VEGAS....VIVA DANICA

(Article from Fox Sports, Mark Kriegel, Feb 28, 2010, ''DANICA DOES IT HER WAY,"  http://www.godanica7.com/forum/topics/viva-las-vegasviva-danica/edit )

After wrecking on the 83rd lap of the Sam’s Town 300, Danica Patrick’s nascent NASCAR career can be summarized, in order of finish, as 35th, 31st and 36th.

That said, her first several weeks on the stock car circuit should be seen for what they are: a resounding success.

Who else, in the midst of what is still a recession, could make even casual fans care about Nationwide races in February?

It’s worth mentioning that Patrick – who was running third before pitting on lap 74 of Saturday's race, should not be held culpable for the mishap.

“Completely, 100 percent my fault,” said Michael McDowell, who had a damaged right bumper and was dropping down from the high line when he got in the way of a fast girl with fresh tires.

“Holy s---, he turned down,” she was heard to say over the radio. “That was bull---- ... a broken bumper and he’s trying to ------- race!”

So who cares if Danica Patrick wrecked in her third race? Actually, EVERYBODY DOES.

By the time Patrick appeared in the garage with her Go Daddy Chevrolet and its crumpled front end, she had calmed down considerably. One imagined NASCAR officials were secretly disappointed, as nothing would’ve created more of a buzz than her seeking to confront the offending driver. (Remember the Dan Weldon incident see pics attached)

Instead, the stock car industry would have to make due with expressions of mild regret from its prettiest and most talented rookie.

“It would’ve been nice to have a decent finish,” she said. “I was feeling better and better all the time.”

Actually, taken in another context, Patrick’s showing can be argued as a kind of victory. By running well for as long as she did, Patrick dispelled the memory of her tentative performance (something nobody wants to see, a tentative Danica) last week in California.

“Fontana,” she said, “was a real humbling experience. But I guess it was probably good that I went there because I got to go there again. So I might as well figure it out.”
Besides, NASCAR isn’t the most American of endeavors by accident. It’s all about sponsorship and marketing. And if some drivers are upset at the attention she commands, it’s only because Danica Patrick has done a superlative job in branding herself. The rest of NASCAR can’t wait until June.