Danica’s Nationwide Debut Means Bires Is The Odd Man Out
by PB on Feb.08, 2010, under TSS Articles
It’s official. Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this Saturday in the Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona.
You’re not shocked? Truth be known, neither am I. Considering her performance in Saturday’s ARCA race, and the hype surrounding the race, it made sense to ride the wave of excitement for one more weekend on the sport’s biggest stage down in Daytona.
The question is-what car would she be in?
We’ve heard for quite some time now that there wasn’t room in the inventory for Patrick to run at Daytona. Nor did JR Motorsports have the financial means of putting her into a third car. The owner/president himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr., reiterated during Media Day that it would take $150k or more to prepare a third car for Patrick thus making the likelihood of her racing at Daytona a long shot at best. But there it was, sitting in my inbox ready for release…the Danica Patrick Nationwide race announcement.
I knew it was coming. The press release itself didn’t catch off me guard or surprise me. Instead I found myself asking the question-who would be the odd man out? Smart money says there is no way Dale Earnhardt Jr. would step aside and give up his seat so that Danica could race Saturday. The likelihood of that happening is slim to none considering the draw Earnhardt brings to the race not to mention obvious sponsorship obligations. With that being the case, Kelly Bires took on the unenviable position of being the odd man out.
As everyone can see I will not be running Daytona. Very bummed out about it! I will be ready to make a statement in Fontana (via Twitter). As you can imagine, the announcement didn’t exactly sit well with Bires’ supporters. In fact, Bires posted another message on Twitter a few moments later asking folks to calm down a bit: Let’s be positive here everyone. JRM has given me a great opportunity to race. I know everyone’s mad, but the bashing is unacceptable!
Regardless of his plea, the controversy still exists.
Is this about Danica’s desire to get better at the NASCAR level or is this about selling advertising and impressing sponsors? Now that Kelly Bires is without a ride this weekend and plans to run the entire 2010 Nationwide schedule and contend for the championship are out the window, was this the right move by JR Motorsports?
We want to hear from you!!
February 8th, 2010 on 4:26 PM
Iam looking forward to seeing Danica race again and I will support her completely. I do believe this decision was a good business decision and was totally based on Danica getting more exporsure. More exporsure equals more sponsors equals more money and when there’s more money JR can field more cars.Kelly can run for the championship and anything can happen in racing even if he misses the 500. I wonder what POPS had to say about this decision?
February 9th, 2010 on 12:09 PM
Its all about money. They would be crazy not to let her race. NASCAR is all about money. The days from the 70’s and 80’s are gone my friends. Too bad NASCAR is slowly loosing their fan base. I personally went from going to 2-3 races a year to NONE. I also quit buying all merchandise and maybe watch a handful of races. For sure not Pocono or California -YAWN! Danica Patrick surely isnt going to change my outlook on NASCAR but it is a good shot in the arm for NASCAR; Temporarily…
February 9th, 2010 on 1:01 PM
It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear to be a fool, than open your mouth and prove you’re one. You just proved the latter. Get the facts before you embarrass yourself in print.
February 9th, 2010 on 1:33 PM
Driven,
What are you talking about?! I read the article and can’t figure out what you are talking about. How did the author embarrass himself? Do tell
February 9th, 2010 on 2:49 PM
I was skeptical at first but her performance was quite impressive. But it was just an ARCA race. She turned heads and got people talking but she didn’t do well enough to all the sudden deserve a chance to bump a guy out of his ride. I think this is about exposure and $$$ for the sport and for Jr Motorsports. And despite what they’ve told the media Kelly Bires was bumped out of his ride for Danica Patrick. Plain and simple.
Kelly Bires came over to Jr Motorsports because he was promised the chance to race full time in the Nationwide series. Before going to Jr Motorsports he was nothing more than a part-time driver. He earned the full time ride and earned the chance to replace Brad K. Now because Danica is all we are talking about he has to sit out. I just don’t agree with their decision. At all.
As for you Driven. You are the only one who embarrassed themselves. What you wrote made no sense. Why don’t you tell all of us the basis for your comment. I am like BRG I read the article and can’t for the life of me figure out where you came up with your comment.
MillerLiteMan
(grab a cold one!!)