[400 plus]

She has the ride for the whole year and this was only 1 race. I was waiting for her to hit the wall at any time. She finished the race and did well. Gotta follow the cash and Tony is no fool. I hope she does well.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by hada76

it was pointed out during the race that she had a crappy pit stall, not enough room to get going. as far as making a move at the end of the race, her crew chief/spotters should have told her that jr. and the others were ready to haul azz

This was the media making excuses for Wanica.

She wasn't assigned that pit stall - she chose it.

The first pit stall is the coveted position - because you can't ever get blocked in.

Also - the driver in the first pit stall gets to hammer the gas and go when work is completed - they can't be caught speeding off pit road.

Ask the other 42 drivers where they would have wanted to pit at Daytona (or most any other track)?

Somehow the media made a huge advantage for Wanica out to be a disadvantage...

[Sirrotica]

I don't believe Newman is on "probation".

He finished 14th in the points last year and 10th the year before. Tony only finished in 9th place last year - that's not that big of a difference. Newman only got a one year contract because of the loss of U.S. Army sponsorship (dictated by some goofy congresswoman).

In an interview I heard Ryan say as much, if he didn't perform he would be looking for a new ride. He also said it was his own fault he was in that situation. If the driver said this in a televised interview then it must be so, it came right from the horses mouth and is not conjecture on my part.

Is Tony going to fire Danica if she finishes in 30th place this year? Based on what you're saying he will. I don't believe he's going to fire her for that - as long as Go Daddy gives him another $20 mil next year (or something like that).

Tony didn't have to find a sponsor for Danica - she brought a sponsor to Tony. That's a totally different situation than Newman.

I did say, if she didn't improve within 3 years and doesn't make a chase she wouldn't be driving for Stewart Haas. I never mentioned anything about this year having to look for a new ride.

Newman is a formidable driver and has paid his dues and is expected to perform well, unlike Wanica which is in her rookie year, apples and oranges. Yes she brought a huge sponsor to the table, she is still going to be held to a reasonable expectation within her contract. Believe me, Stewart is not wanting to be associated with mediocre drivers that don't perform.

Danny Lasoski, Paul Mc Mahan, JJ Yeley, are all good drivers and have won their share of races in the open wheeled dirt cars, all drove for Tony and were let go for not performing to his expectations. I don't believe he has a certain number each year in his head, he is however not going to foot the bill for a top notch car that isn't returning any winnings forever. When it gets to a certain point that he determines in his own mind, your out.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Yes she brought a huge sponsor to the table, she is still going to be held to a reasonable expectation within her contract. Believe me, Stewart is not wanting to be associated with mediocre drivers that don't perform.

Tony came into NASCAR with a much shorter Busch/Nationwide resume/experience. He finished 4th in the points in his rookie season.

A reasonable expectation, based on his own performance, would at least be a top 5 finish in the points - right...

Well, that ain't gonna happen...

[67_Krewzer]

Originally Posted by hada76

it was pointed out during the race that she had a crappy pit stall, not enough room to get going. as far as making a move at the end of the race, her crew chief/spotters should have told her that jr. and the others were ready to haul azz

With a wreck just happening behind her in the back of the pack and Jr coming up quick, I wonder just what her chief / spotters were telling her? Hold ! GO ! Aww crap be just got burned....

[ho428]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Tony came into NASCAR with a much shorter Busch/Nationwide resume/experience. He finished 4th in the points in his rookie season.

A reasonable expectation, based on his own performance, would at least be a top 5 finish in the points - right...

Well, that ain't gonna happen...

What would you consider a successful season for her?

[hurryinhoosier62]

Now, some imput from someone actually at Daytona(Allison Tower, row 17, seat 14). This was the first race in three years when the superstrech (or backstrech) was actually OPEN. The loudest cheers were for Danica Patrick(loudest boos.....Kyle Busch!)
The racing as a whole was fairly mundane. Part of the reason was the Gen 6 car and the weather played a BIG role(cloudly all day, raining 40 miles to the west). As for her loosing third place and finishing eighth, it was probably her spotter. All in all, she did pretty well considering it was her 11th start. One thing for all you circle track boys; strap on a 1700lb, 1000hp IRL machine where your feet are only protected by less than a ft of carbon fiber and titanium and see how well you do. Bill Elliott did it and stated that it scared the S&#T out of him at 170mph, NOT the 230-235mph race speeds. Carry on....

[hurryinhoosier62]

Champ,

I don't normally respond to your posts, but this time I will. Stewart had YEARS of experience in midgets and USAC Silver Crown, not to mention IRL experience, before he ever sat in a Busch series machine. He's one of those rare individuals like A.J. Foyt that can drive ANY race car, PERIOD. I've got a friend that was a USAC Silver Crown crew chief that can tell you some not-to-flattering stories about Stewart. He was known for being a primadonna back then.

[MikeNoun]

My point about Danica's 15-year-and-1-win record is that it's not always about winning races, it's about marketing, big business, and popularity.

Other drivers like Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, were once great champions, but for the past 10 years or so, they live off their reputation and popularity. That's what Danica is doing now.

What ticks me off the most about Danica is how she gets offended when a reporter or interviewer refers to her as "sexy" or "hot", as if that's all the media ever wants to focus on. Well, maybe she shouldn't have done bikini photo shoots to promote herself, eh?

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

Champ,

I don't normally respond to your posts, but this time I will. Stewart had YEARS of experience in midgets and USAC Silver Crown, not to mention IRL experience, before he ever sat in a Busch series machine. He's one of those rare individuals like A.J. Foyt that can drive ANY race car, PERIOD. I've got a friend that was a USAC Silver Crown crew chief that can tell you some not-to-flattering stories about Stewart. He was known for being a primadonna back then.

X2.

Tony came into NASCAR with a much shorter Busch/Nationwide resume/experience. He finished 4th in the points in his rookie season.

A reasonable expectation, based on his own performance, would at least be a top 5 finish in the points - right...

Well, that ain't gonna happen...

I did say this:

I did say, if she didn't improve within 3 years and doesn't make a chase she wouldn't be driving for Stewart Haas. I never mentioned anything about this year having to look for a new ride.

And this:

When it gets to a certain point that he determines in his own mind, your out.

I don't believe that Tony makes the determination based on his own record, he sets and expectation on a case by case basis, and if you fail to meet it your out of a ride. This isn't one size fits all, I believe it's based on what he thinks an individual is capable of and whether they live up to his expectations.

[Alvin]

According to ALL media sources it seems that Danica Won the 500 - WTF is with that?

Glad that we DVRd the race so we could FF past the hours long Danica effluent
(yeah it was really profuse. translation: IT STUNK!).
Only good thing about the race was that MW was in the race so didn't have to hear his whining & droning commentary.

I don't give a crap about being in the race as a driver or not. As a soon to be (again) former NASCAR fan...their decisions to over hype (1) driver over all others justifies our simply turning it off and/or simply never watching or attending an event again. IT IS THE FANS WHO PAY FOR EVERYTHING AND THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE RACERS TO HAVE OPINIONS OR IMPACT THE REVENUE STREAMS.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Other drivers like Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, were once great champions, but for the past 10 years or so, they live off their reputation and popularity. That's what Danica is doing now.

They live off their skill and ability. Low budget teams need a driver who can jump in and drive at the edge of the envelope. They don't generate much revenue. Danica can jump in and follow the leader. Her ass generates the revenue. Freak'n circus it is.

[63Banshee]

I think it's time to bring the top 43 female drivers to TMS for an all or nothing shootout. She who wins gets the Sprint Cup ride. I bet my next paycheck Danica doesn't win that race.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

Champ,

I don't normally respond to your posts, but this time I will. Stewart had YEARS of experience in midgets and USAC Silver Crown, not to mention IRL experience, before he ever sat in a Busch series machine. He's one of those rare individuals like A.J. Foyt that can drive ANY race car, PERIOD. I've got a friend that was a USAC Silver Crown crew chief that can tell you some not-to-flattering stories about Stewart. He was known for being a primadonna back then.

He still is, he has a bad temper, as does his racing hero A.J. Foyt, so they parallel in more ways. Seems as though they're cut from the same cloth.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

I think it's time to bring the top 43 female drivers to TMS for an all or nothing shootout. She who wins gets the Sprint Cup ride. I bet my next paycheck Danica doesn't win that race.

A heads up race between Milka and Dani would be worth a watch. Hence their already established love for one another from INDY CAR races.

[MikeNoun]

This happened last year when Danica won the pole for the Nationwide Daytona race. They had the SpeedTV crew talking about the upcoming Daytona 500 that would occur the next day, and they kept cutting away to get Danica's thoughts, live from the pits. They acted like she was Richard Petty, wanting to get her insights as to the track conditions, and what it was like to run at Daytona.

Rusty Wallace had to really swallow his pride as he asked Danica what the best groove was to run. That's like having Bono from U2 asking some front man from a newbie band what's it's like to be in front of a big crowd.

Typical media overhype, that's all.

As for Milka and Danica, this was a classic clip from 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LXDEPrIr9I

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

This happened last year when Danica won the pole for the Nationwide Daytona race. They had the SpeedTV crew talking about the upcoming Daytona 500 that would occur the next day, and they kept cutting away to get Danica's thoughts, live from the pits. They acted like she was Richard Petty, wanting to get her insights as to the track conditions, and what it was like to run at Daytona.

Rusty Wallace had to really swallow his pride as he asked Danica what the best groove was to run. That's like having Bono from U2 asking some front man from a newbie band what's it's like to be in front of a big crowd.

Typical media overhype, that's all.

As for Milka and Danica, this was a classic clip from 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LXDEPrIr9I

Yup that's the one I was thinking of. Having watched the race what they don't show is Dani walking th full length of pit road in a huff. she started out walking down the pavement car driven side of pit road, was forced to go behind he wall by track security she only complied when they told her she would have to leave the track if she didn't get behind pit wall for her safety.

my money would be on Milka for a one on one wrestle match. listen carefully and you will hear Milka say to Dani "you want camera, you want a show". Milka knows the media hype & BS regarding Dani...

[ho428]

Milka will end up in NASCAR if she can make speed, she's in ARCA now and will go where ever Danica goes.
For hype NASCAR would like it, but Milka had very serious issues in IRL, maybe running a full bodied car will help.
It's taken a lot for Danica to get accepted and she did good, not sure they'd put up with Milka's old IRL antics at all.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by ho428

Milka will end up in NASCAR if she can make speed, she's in ARCA now and will go where ever Danica goes.
For hype NASCAR would like it, but Milka had very serious issues in IRL, maybe running a full bodied car will help.
It's taken a lot for Danica to get accepted and she did good, not sure they'd put up with Milka's old IRL antics at all.

That would be a good thing...they could fight between themselves and take each other out of the race again...so the focus could revert back to the REAL RACE!

who was it that won the 500 again - Jimmy who?!!!

[Racer81x]

Anyone else think that when douch bag Johnson won, and spun through the infield and damaged his car he was trying to cover something up like at dega when knaus came on the radio and told him to tear it up after he won.

I think it's b.s how much fox and the media droll on about danica, especially when she raced in the busch series, they would constantly talk about her running in 24th, 28th, etc and would hardly cover the action up front, and it was b.s. going on about her in neurmous races last year running 28th or 30th and finish there, when there were 1 or 2 other chicks in the race who would finish 18th or 22nd, or anywhere ahead of her and they wouldn't say **** about them.