[David Jones]

I wonder if Danica is financially still worth the trouble?


#974

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I wonder if Danica is financially still worth the trouble?


#974

"It's all about the teeth!"

#975

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I wonder if Danica is financially still worth the trouble?


#974

Evidently - GoDaddy thinks so...

Andretti Autosport will announce a new primary sponsor Saturday to replace GoDaddy next season on the car currently driven by James Hinchcliffe. As GoDaddy prepares for a global launch next year its spending allocation had to be re-evaluated. GoDaddy currently sponsors #10-Danica Patrick in NASCAR and Hinchcliffe in IndyCar, and [CEO Blake Irving] Irving decided IndyCar didn't make fiscal sense. "We looked at our customer acquisition costs and it's an audience size issue," Irving said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

"The customer acquisition costs between the web, between regular TV and between NASCAR and IndyCar, IndyCar is the most expensive acquisition vehicle we have. It was pretty expensive on a per customer cost."

Doesn't surprise me that GoDaddy's dumping the IndyCar series. Cost to benefit ratio for IndyCar doesn't make sense.

Despite the decision to leave IndyCar, Irving, who took over as CEO in January, said NASCAR remains a valuable market for GoDaddy. He also said the company is thrilled with its relationship with Patrick.

"We frankly love Danica and think that Danica represents and personifies what GoDaddy represents  small businesses and people who have ideas," Irving said. "Here's a woman who had an idea and went through the challenges to become a driver in a male dominated sport. She represents the idea that the totally impossible is possible and we love that kind of person. She's going to be with us for an awful, awful long time."

Frankly, if her performance doesn't improve dramatically, I seriously doubt that Tony will keep her around after her current contract expires. I don't think any other top tier team would bring her in either.

Which would leave one of the second or third tier teams to take GoDaddy's money. And if the touring princess can't be competitive while having some of the best cars and crews money can buy - she will be much worse when she starts driving a "start and park" car...

She's still in 28th place in the points - but only because Mark Martin didn't race last week. David Gilliland passed her in the points with his 7th place finish (now has 1 top 5 and 2 top 10's compared to Panica's single top 10). Martin has 8 fewer races and only now trails Danica by 11 points.

That leaves only 2 drivers that have competed in all 32 races that are trailing Danica in the points - and they are driving third tier cars.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I wonder if Danica is financially still worth the trouble?


#974

Compare the costs of a team endorsement and the associated air time/exposure compared to a Superbowl add. I'd say the numbers still work - she gets talked about a lot!

IB1K #979

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Compare the costs of a team endorsement and the associated air time/exposure compared to a Superbowl add. I'd say the numbers still work - she gets talked about a lot!

It used to be some positive discussion (or drooling in the case of DW) at the start of the season.

With the steady decline in her performance - the discussion seems to be about her screwups or going another lap down...

She's in over her head running a Cup car. She was mediocre in the Nationwide series, but at least there she was occasionally competitive.

Her legacy will be that she was a model who could drive fast - not a race car driver that looked good.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Compare the costs of a team endorsement and the associated air time/exposure compared to a Superbowl add. I'd say the numbers still work - she now gets laughed at alot!

IB1K #979

Fixed it for you!

#981

[arbys]

It appears to me that certain drivers bring their sponsors with them and that makes them look more viable to the car owners. Look at Danica Patrick>>Go Daddy,Paul Menard>>Menards, Brendan Gaughan>>South Point, John Wes Townly>>Zaxbys and others. Others like Sam Hornish Jr. are left high and dry, unable to get sponsorship to bring to the car owners with.