December 23, 2009
By Chuck Abrams
The Danica week continues
Good golly, are people really going to keep talking about NASCAR from now until Daytona?
It sure seems like it. With Danica making the rounds at ARCA Daytona testing, the talk has continues on since the end of the regular season.
I get daily updates on all things racing and every single one of them has something to do with Danica Patrick. Even the Speed Freaks got in on the topic last night.
Former NASCAR drivers such as Darrell Waltrip and Kyle Petty have weighed in on Danica entering NASCAR. And it is not all positive. See Kyle Petty has no shortage of opinions on Danica.
On the other hand, Kelley Earnhardt says she will live vicariously through Danica during her Nationwide time.
A lot of folks have emailed me wondering just what the heck is up with JR Motorsports hiring Danica – did they need the money, are they hurting financially, just a publicity ploy, etc.
Let’s face it, a driver with sponsorship can basically call the shots. Robby Gordon has done it and so has Paul Menard. Heck, even Dale Jr., moved with sponsorship. So why should the rules for Danica be any different?
From all appearances, Kelley is the one making this deal happen at JR Motorsports. If you think Dale Jr. calls all the shots you have another think coming. Kelley runs that organization and Dale Jr. trusts his sister implicitly.
So if this thing with Danica works, look to Kelley for making it work. Conversely if it fails, she will take the heat for it.
On track, I think Danica was a bit surprised at how slow the ARCA cars are (compared to Indy Cars) and just how rough the track at Daytona is. Leilani Munter and Jennifer Jo Cobb were faster than Danica early on but she eventually wound up fifth fastest at the end of the final testing day.
Danica Pattrick is here to stay for the time being, so we might as well get used to it. Question the sanity of the grind of running three different series for the year, question the IRL contract that allows her to do this, question what happens if she wrecks and is injured in ARCA/NASCAR and what than means to her IRL responsibilities, but you can’t question her desire to race.
CJM Racing calls it quits
After placing twelve top ten finishes last year in the Nationwide series with Denny Hamlin and Scott Lagasse, Jr., CJM is not racing in 2010. After running a limited Cup schedule in 2006, the team moved to the Nationwide series in mid-2007, They finished 17th in owner points in 2008 and 15th in 2009 after forming a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing.
With sponsorship dollars hard to come by in all series, this is just one more case of a moderately successful team falling by the wayside.
While Kyle Petty may think that Danica coming on board takes away chances for another driver to get a ride and compete, the fact is that no sponsor, least of all GoDaddy was looking to engage CJM at the level to keep the shop open.
Jimmie Johnson named male athlete of the year
After four straight titles, Jimmie Johnson finally gets some love. Not even athlete of the decade Tiger Woods could unseat Johnson. Now, what will he get as honors if he wins five straight? Oooooh, I am tingling with anticipation already.
Let me know your thoughts.
Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.
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