Danica eyes NASCAR? - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1126799>
Speed Channel plans to broadcast Qualifying for The Pepsi 400 Nextel Cup Series Race from Loudon, New Hampshire - on Friday at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. This weekend's racing schedule: Formula One The Formula 1 French Grand Prix - Speed Channel Sunday 7:30 AM Eastern Time Nextel Cup Lenox Industrial Tools 300 - TNT Sunday 1:30 PM Eastern Time Busch Series New England 200 - TNT Saturday 3:00 PM Eastern Time Craftsman Truck Series O'Reilly 200 - Speed Channel Saturday 9:00 PM Eastern Time IRL Firestone Indy 200 - ESPN Saturday 9:00 PM Eastern Time "No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you. And rubbin', son, is racin'. " - Spydertrader
Gordon looking to talk with Kenseth: When #24-Jeff Gordon arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday, he said he was looking for #17-Matt Kenseth - and not just to push him out of the way like he did at the end of Sunday's race in Chicago. "I'd certainly like to see him before I leave here," Gordon said before the third day of testing began. "I was hoping just to see him here because I figured we'd all be here."(AP) - Spydertrader
I think a lot of sponsors will be upset at the money they wasted next year. Forget the COT fiasco, which will require duplicate cars. Those deals for Montoya, Waltrip and Jarrett are crazy. Waltrip and Jarrett are washed up at best. Montoya needs at least one season, probably two in Busch, before he's ready for Nextel Cup. Even Tony Stewart took a season in Busch. Of course, he did win the championship, but is Montoya really better than Stewart? And Danica Patrick too? Please. Is she that much better than Sara Fisher, who is still struggling in a development ride? Montoya is going to the 42 team, which has been middle of the pack at best. Can a guy with no stock car experience take them to the front? Doubtful.
Juan Pablo found himself on the way out the door in the Formula One Series. Nobody wanted him around anymore due to his attitude - combined with really poor performance as of late. Just a few weeks ago (at Indy) he caused the Lap One pileup which eliminated much of the field (including team mates). As you mentioned, Ganassi hasn't exactly lit up the Cup Series either. Together, these two (Ganassi & Montoya) should make for an entertaining show. At least, nobody will be able to blame Robby Gordon for wrecking half the field anymore. Montoya will take care of that honor now. With respect to the huge deals for Waltrip and Jarrett, Big Mistake. While Waltrip continues to bill himself as NASCAR's walking billboard, and Jarrett provides some slight amusement with the Big Brown Truck commercials, neither has the ability to win a championship anymore - nor finish in the top ten in points. Toyota, no doubt, shopped around for drivers who, brought sponsorship with them - NAPA and UPS - in order to provide the appearance of legitimacy. Of course, a sponsor receives plenty of airtime when the cars end up a pile of crumpled sheet metal along the wall of turn three. As far as Danica goes, NASCAR is drooling all over itself trying to lure Ms. Patrick into stock car racing. The publicity level alone brings in a whole new group of fans. As far as her abilities go, she can handle an Indy Car, and she did, after all, lead in the final laps of the 2005 Indianapolis 500. However, NASCAR doesn't seem to care about her lack of wins in the IRL series. It's the publicity they are after. - Spydertrader
It's hard for me to fathom why a sponsor would want to be a backmarker. Drivers do matter in NASCAR, maybe more than in any series since the cars are so equal. Anyone who saw the 20 go to the lead in the Firecracker at the end knows what I'm saying. Danica has an advantage in IRL due to her weight. Maybe she can drive a Cup car, maybe not. But qualifying a car and hanging with the 20 and 24 when they are rubbing you at 185 is another issue. Personally, I'd love to see her do it and be successful. If she tests ok, I'm sure she will get plenty of offers.