I will outright admit, when discussion began about the possibility of Danica Patrick making a move to NASCAR at some point, I was a critic.
It wasn't because of the obvious reasons, thinking it was for money or publicity. For me, it was a matter of if she belonged. We've seen open-wheel drivers come to NASCAR and each have different success stories. Drivers like Montoya have enjoyed a great career, while others like Sam Hornish haven't exactly done great.
So, it was a matter of thinking, "Which category will she fit into?"
But, I wanted to keep an open mind in case the suspicions became rumors, with then the rumors becoming fact. Last fall, when the announcement came that Danica would run both Indy Car and NASCAR in the same season, again I was critical. Two completely different cars, completely different language to set up the cars...how could she do it?
I kept thinking back to Days of Thunder and Harry Hogg saying to Cole Trickle, "When you were racing Indy Cars out west, your tires were twice as wide, and the car weighed half as much. Now, your car weighs twice as much, and your tires are half as wide."
That's an accurate statement when you think about it. The difference in the cars is obvious. The draft alone is completely different in a stock car compared to an open-wheel car. Not to mention, in NASCAR there is no option to "push to pass" in order to get a position.
Still, I wanted to stay neutral and not say "I'm all for this" or "this isn't going to work." When she progressed through her first year of doing double duty, I was not surprised at her immediate struggles and also the learning curve. It's like havin a wide receiver make the transition to being a corner back, something I know because I have seen it done at my alma mater, Penn State.
However, minor progress was made despite all the negativity that seemed to be coming around with her being in the series.
But, the change seemed to be working in another aspect as more women seemed to be relating to Patrick, and obviously the guy fan base seemed to be liking her being there.
When 2011 began, with a new car being used I was even more open-minded because she would have more races to prove herself, and show that she can run with the big dogs in their yard, and earn their trust.
Las Vegas was the first step, and from then on I could tell Danica could handle a stock car, and earn the trust of her competitors.
She nearly won the night race at Daytona this past July, and had she not lost momentum and got involved in the last lap chaos, probably would have. But, she showed that by working with the team, the other drivers, and keeping her nose out of trouble, she could handle being in NASCAR, not to mention handle the massive media attention that came along with it.
Yes, Danica still has a lot to learn about NASCAR, that is obvious. She can't learn it all when doing a part-time schedule while still maintaining her full-time status in Indy Car.
But really that is alright, NASCAR is an ever evolving sport and each team member learns more every day. So, Danica is learning right along with her team, and they are getting better because of it. The results may not always show it, but the team is getting better as a whole.
Now with her making a full-time commitment in 2012, I'm excited to see what happens. Not just as a writer, but as a fan. I am a Danica Patrick fan.
Yes, I'll outright admit it, I'm a follower of "Danicamania" and proud to say it. I, along with my fellow writers and all the fans out there, are excited to see what next season will bring for the GoDaddy girl and her No. 7 team.
Patrick made me go from a critic to a supporter, and for that, I give praise.
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