Head2Head: Would you hire Danica Patrick?

By NASCAR.COM Nov 10, 2:52 pm EST

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Rumors were swirling at Texas Motor Speedway that Danica Patrick was close to signing with JR Motorsports to run part-time in the Nationwide Series (read more).

Nothing has been agreed to yet, but all season Patrick has shown interest in NASCAR and some, but not all, have shown interest in her. The question is, if you were an owner in the sport, would you put Danica Patrick behind the wheel of your car?

Read both sides of the argument and weigh in with your take in the comments below. And don't forget to vote for whose argument you agree with more in the poll at the right.

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Updated Nov 10, 2:52 pm EST
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212 Comments

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  1. Ken G
    212. Posted by Ken G Thu Nov 12 10:48am EST

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    Remember that Junior is only part of JR Motorsports. Rick Hendrick has a significant financial interest in JR Motorsports. Therefore he has direct input into who drives. Hendrick is a master marketer and he knows that Danica would be a big draw for both fans and sponsors. However, don't look for a long term comittment from either party until she shows major promise. Hendrick already has performance problems with Junior and he will want to she what she can actually do which will take a couple of years (as with Montoya). It could be very lucrative or very disappointing so starting in the ARCA and Nationwide series is the best approach. I say bring her on.
  2. Mean1
    211. Posted by Mean1 Wed Nov 11 10:46pm EST

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    Winning is not needed to stay in Cup racing as long as you have a name that sells....just ask Jr.
  3. Rug M
    210. Posted by Rug M Wed Nov 11 1:24pm EST

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    This is about $$, not winning. She will not win in Cup if she gets there and will not stay very long either.
  4. RichardW
    209. Posted by RichardW Wed Nov 11 1:13pm EST

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    She's the goose that laid the golden egg, who wouldn't hire her??
    And she has a better finishing record than Tony Stewart at Indy, against much tougher competition.. So we know she can drive.. No brainer..
  5. <i>irishghost@...</i>
    208. Posted by irishghost@... Wed Nov 11 12:07pm EST

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    Absolutely. She was fifth in final standings with Indy Car circut in 2009. That is no small feat. Besides Danica's family are old friends of our past and she is more than just a lovely lady, she is also a lovely person.
  6. <i>arcelectric_paris_ky</i>
    207. Posted by arcelectric_paris_ky Wed Nov 11 11:47am EST

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    With her marketing appeal and obvious driving talent, why shouldn't she drive in NASCAR? One thing for certain, with all the rules and limits on car designs they are basically running IROC races every week. They can't pass each other because the cars have no downforce so it would probably fir her style. She doesn't seem to have that killer instinct so she should fit in well with drivers like Gordon, Kenseth, Jr., and the like. Why not let her give it a go!!
  7. minuteman0438
    206. Posted by minuteman0438 Wed Nov 11 11:20am EST

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    A pretty face that can win a race, will be a great improvement , why can't a woman win?
  8. Rl
    205. Posted by Rl Wed Nov 11 11:15am EST

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    Jerseygent has it right: We got enough crybabies in NASCAR...let her stay with the IRL.
  9. Steve B
    204. Posted by Steve B Wed Nov 11 10:29am EST

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    Most of you are missing the point. Look at the question as a car OWNER, not as a race fan. As an owner, you have to look only at how much money in sponsorship she will bring to my team. It does not matter if she wins or is even competitive. If a sponsor wants to dump millions to buy the advertising she is in. Look at JR. The only reason he is still with Hendrick is because the sponsors are willing to pay. Patrick and Earnhardt share some of the same sponsors. Who will they go with? PATRICK, of course!
  10. MT_Mind
    203. Posted by MT_Mind Wed Nov 11 10:07am EST

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    I would probably her only with the agreement that she drives for one full year in the Nationwide series before she moves up. Every driver that has moved over; i.e. Hornish, Steward, Montoya, etc.; has said that the differances between the cars is great enough that they all think someone who comes over to NASCAR needs to spend time in the "lower" series learning. I don't think little miss princess will do that.
  11. Bryan
    202. Posted by Bryan Wed Nov 11 9:48am EST

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    experience is the key to any driver. Danica is like a child learning to walk then run , she has had some success in Indy and is getting better every year, the fact that she wants to try NASCAR is her modivation, lots of drivers have crossed over from Indy/formula one , the fact that she is a woman should have no barring on anything , she is a driver thats what she does , that simple , Richerd Petty , Dale SR, didnt become great drivers overnight , the fact that she is becoming or is as popular a name in Indy like dale Jr is in Nascar helps alot and would attract good sponsership and marketing .Id HIRE HER two brain cells fighting all the time would agree on that one
  12. jb
    201. Posted by jb Wed Nov 11 9:47am EST

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    If she can qualify a car why not give her a shot and she would make some team a lot of money...maybe she'll flash the crowd if she wins...
  13. Ray
    200. Posted by Ray Wed Nov 11 9:44am EST

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    Danica is a good driver, but not the type of individual that can take the "bumps and rubs" that are an integral part of driving in NASCAR events. Danica is a "whiner" - always placing the blame on others for any of her failures to perform as she would have liked.
  14. PigEater
    199. Posted by PigEater Wed Nov 11 9:29am EST

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    Shawn H (#197) got it exactly right.

    Hire her? ABSOLUTELY!!

    Is she a great driver? - probably no.
    But could she help your team sell advertising space, merchandise, garner sponsors --- ABSOLUTELY!

    Really it's a very dumb question and has an obvious answer of YES! There are NO arguments that are even worth discussing to not do. If she has an interest, some smart team owner will hire her. This is a business decision, plain and simple.
  15. PaulB
    198. Posted by PaulB Wed Nov 11 9:03am EST

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    I would not hire her.In the first place she hasn't been that great in open wheel cars.Most of the male nascar drivers have had a lot of success in other types of racing before they were hired.Besides sooner or later some guy will say something off color or do something inappropriate and get himself fired.
  16. Shawn H
    197. Posted by Shawn H Wed Nov 11 9:02am EST

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    Hire her? ABSOLUTELY!!

    Is she a great driver? - probably no.
    But could she help your team sell advertising space, merchandise, garner sponsors --- ABSOLUTELY!

    Really it's a very dumb question and has an obvious answer of YES! There are NO arguments that are even worth discussing to not do. If she has an interest, some smart team owner will hire her. This is a business decision, plain and simple.
  17. Rick
    196. Posted by Rick Wed Nov 11 8:54am EST

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    I love how you casually named this article.
  18. Mean1
    195. Posted by Mean1 Wed Nov 11 8:50am EST

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    Here is a render of what it could look like when Danica does a burnout after winning at Martinsville.

    http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/Ima_Meanie/meanieXXXX1793.jpg
  19. Kevin H
    194. Posted by Kevin H Wed Nov 11 8:49am EST

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    In terms of the skills needed to race in NASCAR there are other women drivers who are better qualified to drive in NASCAR then Patrick. Fisher who grew up on midwest dirt tracks and has experience in NASCAR West comes to mind. Danika is primarily a road racer. But hey, NASCAR is about "Show me the money" and damned few drivers period can bring the sponsorship money she can. So I say giver her a shot. Then we can debate all day as to who's the most over rated and over paid driver in NASCAR, Danika or Dale Jr.

    Personally, I'd rather see Fisher. She's paid the dues and is a better oval track racer than Patrick. She's also not a primadonna.
  20. 420greg
    193. Posted by 420greg Wed Nov 11 8:44am EST

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    It is a no brainer to sign her.

    Merch Sales $50 million
    Total Team Cost $30 million

    Profit $20 million.

    Who cares if she wins, or even finishes on the lead lap.
  21. pacman13
    192. Posted by pacman13 Wed Nov 11 8:38am EST

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    How do you spell hype - DANICA. She has had good cars in IRL but can't win. Her teammates do. Her idea of a pass is somebody else breaking down. She is a medicore open wheel driver. Open wheel drivers haven't generally shined in NASCAR so why do they need her? Hype!! somebody finishes in the last 15 positions I guess it might as well be hottie Danick rather than some no name that chases qualifing for the logn shot entry.
  22. Leland
    191. Posted by Leland Wed Nov 11 8:34am EST

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    Yes, She would change NASCAR......She is very Good at racing. Rather see her in there than Kyle Bush
  23. JohnN
    190. Posted by JohnN Wed Nov 11 8:27am EST

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    Junior should sign her becausr he would be working with siomeone who has actually won less than he has. She has won one race...ever. He has won, it just seems like FORever.
  24. Maverick
    189. Posted by Maverick Wed Nov 11 8:23am EST

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    Any team that would't hire DP would be fools (or have insufficient funds). Danica has provrd she can drive race cars, granted NASCAR vehicles are different than Indy cars, but others have crossed the line (Stewart, R. Gordon, Andretti, Allmindinger, Hornish Jr.) so can MS Patrick. It should also be good for NASCAR! Go Danica 7 !
  25. John
    188. Posted by John Wed Nov 11 8:18am EST

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    You'd be stupid not to sign her. Even if she sucks she"ll bring money to whatever team signs her. Hopefully she will do good, it would be good for nascar and would give female fans someone to root for. But to be honest, I think Crissy Wallace has a better chance at making it in nascar.
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