[63Banshee]

That's females in general, college/SBO or not.

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

I'm probably missing something that keeps her in the seat of the 10 car. Maybe NASCAR is influential in her keeping her ride as a draw for filling seats?

I definitely think that NASCAR has an interest in keeping her relevant. She has the most Twitter followers, which translates into the most fans, which means NASCAR and advertisers use her popularity to market products to her fan base via Twitter and Facebook.

I do feel sorry for her crew. Those guys work their collective asses off, and then there's Danica out there, staying in the middle of the track, race after race. And she rarely ever thanks her crew. The #10 crew must really hate the predicament they're in.

[63Banshee]

Was thinking about the crew last week. Futile endeavor it is.

[David Holmberg]

Chase is the real deal. You can see the influence from his father, Bill never ran his mouth, he just raced with the best of them on the track.

The kid has a shot at setting new records.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

I definitely think that NASCAR has an interest in keeping her relevant. She has the most Twitter followers, which translates into the most fans, which means NASCAR and advertisers use her popularity to market products to her fan base via Twitter and Facebook.

She does have the most "followers" - but I don't think that really relates to the number of "fans" she has.

Besides - there are tons of NASCAR fans that don't use twitter. And I'm one of them...

[zephyrracer]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

What does that have to do with Panica sucking?

Nothing my friend, she isn't strong enough to drive, Go Daddy is pandering to the woman business figure, if it works for them it works she is out there for press only, she is a woman race car driver, not advertised as a winning race car driver!!!


Gregg

[Alvin]

I cannot see GoDaddy dumping her anytime soon.

Couple of thoughts as to why:

- For one: the many previous marketing Points made by others here;

- For another: could be they've painted themselves into a corner of potential "GoDaddy" FemBot customer backlash and loss of business if they cut funding and let her go. "How Dare They!"

My Mrs likes, follows, and supports, many Racing Women; but not Danica. Instead she points her out during a race and says "there she is to make you mad again!"
You know, it's funny because it's true!

[The Champ]

I do think they drop her.

godaddy first sponsored the touring princess back in 2006 when she was at least competitive on the Indy Car circuit.

They followed her to the Nationwide circuit and with a Cup racing budget she managed to be somewhat competitive (10th place in the standings - sounds impressive - but the driver that finished 11th didn't even drive in all 33 races).

Now she's running at the Cup level - where at least half the field is running on a Cup budget and she can't even stay in the top 25.

All the old godaddy ads used to "exude" sex. That's why some of the dirty old men think she's "hot".

But this year godaddy did something different for the Super Bowl ad. And it wasn't pretty and surely didn't exude sex. It was almost as big a flop as Danica has been at the Cup level.

The media isn't pandering near as much as they used to. The number of times that I've seen the broadcast switch to another camera when Danica is about to go another lap down is a telling story.

They can't find good things she's doing to show and they avoid the bad things. godaddy needs airtime in return for their money. They aren't getting it. And when the media is forced to show her after she wrecks - that ain't good airtime.

godaddy might just tell Tony to get a race car driver for 2015, not a Sunday driver...

[Alvin]

Wouldn't be too much of a wild a$$ guess that DaniCant would be placed in a HAAS F1 car to draw needed sponsorship. Heaven help us! Tony Stewart may disagree though.

"Gene Haas hopes F1 resources can help NASCAR team"
Gene Haas hopes that his venture into Formula One also helps his NASCAR team, and he’s confident it won’t be a distraction.

Haas co-owns the four-car Cup team at Stewart-Haas Racing along with driver Tony Stewart, who was given half the team in 2009 in return for Stewart’s running of the team and ability to secure sponsorship.

Stewart has said he will have no involvement in the F1 program, which will share space in a new building being constructed at the SHR shop in Kannapolis, N.C.

Gene Haas hopes that his venture into Formula One also helps his NASCAR team, and he’s confident it won’t be a distraction.

Haas co-owns the four-car Cup team at Stewart-Haas Racing along with driver Tony Stewart, who was given half the team in 2009 in return for Stewart’s running of the team and ability to secure sponsorship.


Gene Haas (AP Photo)
Stewart has said he will have no involvement in the F1 program, which will share space in a new building being constructed at the SHR shop in Kannapolis, N.C.

MORE: Haas confident | License obtained | Schedule/results

“It’s two totally separate programs,” Stewart said Friday. “I won’t have any involvement in it. … It doesn’t affect the Cup stuff.”

Haas, who was granted a license last week to field two Formula One cars starting next season, actually believes it might — in a good way.

“Both teams will use wind tunnels,” Haas said Monday. “Both teams use a lot of CFD computers (for simulation). Both teams will need a seven post rig, which we actually have at Stewart-Haas Racing.

“So I think there are a lot of similarities there. Probably one of the biggest things that we can take from Formula One is what we learn in aero. Formula One teams are much more into aero packages, especially when it comes down to things you'd never think about like brake ducting and radiator intakes, and how the air comes out of the back of the wing and so on and so forth. These are things the NASCAR teams are just starting to touch on now that the bodies have been very much regulated in terms of how the aero goes over them.”

The big difference, Haas said, is the Formula One car produces 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of downforce. A Cup car is about a quarter of that.

“I'm hoping knowledge from one side can transfer over to the other,” Haas said. “On the other hand, I think that building cars in NASCAR is a lot simpler than Formula One.”

The wind tunnel that Haas built in the vicinity of the NASCAR shop — a state-of-the-art rare full-scale rolling wind tunnel that had F1 teams flocking to it when it first opened several years ago — will have to undergo a makeover because Formula One limits wind-tunnel testing to primarily scale models.

“They wanted to eliminate full-scale wind tunnel testing because they didn't want people building hundred million dollar wind tunnels,” Haas said. “Now we have a wind tunnel and that is an advantage. Unfortunately, it's a full-scale wind tunnel and that's a problem. So what we'll have to do with our wind tunnel because we already have one, the investment has been made and it's a well-run operation, we'll have to change that wind tunnel over to run scale-model wind tunnels, which Formula One allows.

“(It’s) very stringent, they have a number of hours you can run. But there is an even more stringent number of hours you can run on a full scale. So what we'll do is we'll have to spend some money on the wind tunnel to modify it to run a scale model, but at the same time, we'll also have the ability to run verification of a full scale model too, which a lot of our competitors can't do.”

SHR has won three of the eight Cup races this year. Kevin Harvick said Saturday night at Darlington that he doesn’t know if anything will translate from the F1 shop to the Cup shop.

“I guess we'll have a great carbon fiber shop,” Harvick said. “That's for sure, so that'll be a good thing. But all in all, I think Gene loves racing. … Gene likes to win races, Gene likes to be at the racetrack. He loves the challenge of doing things that other people don't do, and he's fortunate to be in a position financially to experience those things, and I'm excited to see how it all unfolds.

“I guess we'll see what his plans are, and I'm excited to be watching it and see what it all (involves and) how it all takes place.”

It would be great for the team if there are some synergies. Haas expects the F1 team to use some of the same processes that the NASCAR team uses in terms of determining how long parts will last.

“We have a lot of really smart people at Stewart-Haas Racing that are constantly looking for new ways to beat our competitors,” Haas said. “I can't think of anything in Formula One that would detract from that.

“I think we're going to have a racing campus there with NASCAR teams and Formula One teams. When it all comes down to it, we're just racing.”

[MikeNoun]

With Haas getting into F1 (which will cost at least $100 million dollars to start up), I'm not sure he will pick a non-competitive driver to fill one of his seats. Ferrari spends $250 million a year on their F1 team, so it's a given that Haas won't be competitive for a few years. He said he needs drivers in his cars that have F1 experience.

This isn't like getting into a NASCAR Series, where you can buy your way in through the buddy system (like the Cope nieces) and drive around in circles, or do a start-and-park. F1 doesn't work that way, they're way too serious.

Obvious choice would be Conor Daily (from Indiana), who has raced IndyLights, IndyCar, GP3, and now GP2, and he's won races. The other driver would most likely be from an existing F1 team who has F1 race experience.

When Danica jumped to NASCAR, her seat in IndyCar was filled by young James Hinchcliffe. In his first full year in the GoDaddy car, he managed 2 podiums, and finished 8th in points (Danica finished 10th in points in her final year in IndyCar). In Hinchcliffe's second year, he WON 3 races. The GoDaddy team was ecstatic, they finally had a driver capable of winning. Hinchcliffe would have contended for the championship, but he had 4 miserable DNF's due to mechanical failure.

GoDaddy decided to follow the bikini, not the talent. GoDaddy pulled out of IndyCar sponsorship for 2014, and focus their efforts on Danica in NASCAR.

Danica ended her 7-year IndyCar career with 117 starts, 1 win, and 6 podiums.

James Hinchcliffe had 52 starts in 3-years, with 3 wins, and 6 podiums.

[zephyrracer]

Danicka will race until she hurts someone, she is lucky she hasn't so far or should I say the rest of the field is lucky!!!

Gregg

[KS circutguy]

Chances of getting killed in a nascar =0
Chances pf getting killed in an F1 = very high
+ they take much more talent to drive.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

With Haas getting into F1 (which will cost at least $100 million dollars to start up), I'm not sure he will pick a non-competitive driver to fill one of his seats. Ferrari spends $250 million a year on their F1 team, so it's a given that Haas won't be competitive for a few years. He said he needs drivers in his cars that have F1 experience.

This isn't like getting into a NASCAR Series, where you can buy your way in through the buddy system (like the Cope nieces) and drive around in circles, or do a start-and-park. F1 doesn't work that way, they're way too serious.

Obvious choice would be Conor Daily (from Indiana), who has raced IndyLights, IndyCar, GP3, and now GP2, and he's won races. The other driver would most likely be from an existing F1 team who has F1 race experience.

When Danica jumped to NASCAR, her seat in IndyCar was filled by young James Hinchcliffe. In his first full year in the GoDaddy car, he managed 2 podiums, and finished 8th in points (Danica finished 10th in points in her final year in IndyCar). In Hinchcliffe's second year, he WON 3 races. The GoDaddy team was ecstatic, they finally had a driver capable of winning. Hinchcliffe would have contended for the championship, but he had 4 miserable DNF's due to mechanical failure.

GoDaddy decided to follow the bikini, not the talent. GoDaddy pulled out of IndyCar sponsorship for 2014, and focus their efforts on Danica in NASCAR.

Danica ended her 7-year IndyCar career with 117 starts, 1 win, and 6 podiums.

James Hinchcliffe had 52 starts in 3-years, with 3 wins, and 6 podiums.

Good points Mike. I'm thinking of the recent past F1 seasons where "in Formula 1, Cash May Trump Skill in Landing a Ride" fits Danica to a tee. Alls it will take is for some sponsor to come up with Mega $$$ and she's driving in F1! I certainly hope that DOES NOT happen, but check out these recent examples - 2012 WSJ below -on how it isn't beyond possiblity to see her driving a Haas F1 car:

"In Formula 1, Cash May Trump Skill in Landing a Ride"

"The 2012 Formula 1 season, which gets underway Sunday with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, may feature the strongest lineup of drivers in the history of international motorsports.

With a record six former world champions on the starting grid, one quarter of the 24-strong field has held the coveted title at some stage.

But not every team has a superstar in the cockpit. Behind the historic crop of headliners, there’s a growing number of drivers whose presence on the circuit isn’t all down to skill, bravery or the ability to negotiate a tough bend at 200mph. It’s also about something a lot more practical: Sacks full of cash.

If you’ve ever gazed longingly at the winding tracks on Formula 1′s global circuit and thought you’d pay good money to take part, it turns out you’re not alone. Some of the guys behind the wheel are doing just that.

Thanks to everything from spiralling costs to the departure of auto makers such as BMW and Toyota, one of motor racing’s oldest, but least respected, traditions is enjoying a revival. This season, a growing number of drivers are paying their teams to race rather than the other way round.

According to a consensus of F1 insiders, analysts and former drivers, roughly one third of the cars on the track in Melbourne will be piloted by a so-called”pay driver,” the name given to racers who provide their teams with funding, either through wealthy benefactors or personal sponsors.

Pastor Maldonado will race for Williams this season thanks to funds supplied by Venezuelan state oil monopoly Petroloes de Venezuela, or PdVSA, while Marussia’s Charles Pic secured his seat with the assistance of funding from French former F1 drivers Olivier Panis and Eric Bernard.

Romain Grosjean paid Lotus an estimated $5 million to drive for the team this season through his sponsorship with French oil major Total. “Total is delighted to give the young talented French driver… the opportunity to fulfil his dream,” a company statement said when the Lotus deal was announced.

Meanwhile, some of the sport’s most decorated and experienced drivers have seen their careers stall because they don’t have financial backing.

“More and more seats in Formula 1 are occupied by drivers who are essentially paying to race,” said Christian Sylt, co-author of Formula Money, an annual review of the sport’s finances. “For the smaller teams, taking on a driver who brings in millions of dollars is a very attractive option right now.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/20...anding-a-ride/

[ken73]

When GoDaddy money dries up Panica is gone....... or... Chase needs to go to a Hendrick team (or alliance) pretty soon (as early as next year), that 10 ride is looking pretty good. AND he will bring along NAPA as a sponsor. Panica should be worried. She better improve (unlikely), or she should be SH** canned.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

Chances of getting killed in a nascar =0
Chances pf getting killed in an F1 = very high
+ they take much more talent to drive.

Dale Earnhardt would like a word with you.

K

[MikeNoun]

Alvin, I guess that explains why Lotus wasn't paying Kimi Raikkonen last year!

I read that Lotus was not only in financial trouble, but they were having trouble just getting two cars on the grid for the first race of the year. I seriously can't figure how these low volume companies, like Ferrari or Lotus, can afford to blow $250 million on a racing series every year.

Energy drinks, like Red Bull, which costs around .50 cents a can to produce, and sell for $2.00 (thanks to addicts), are the way to generate funds. Red Bull is everywhere, from F1 to Rally, from Supercross to MotoGP (they recently pulled out of NASCAR), but they also sponsor racing boats, racing planes, they're everywhere. They make SO much money that they didn't just buy advertising space on an F1 car, they actually designed the own cars, and have their own facilities. Odd that a non-automotive manufacturer could be so competitive, beating out the pros like Ferrari, Lotus, Mercedes, and McLaren, who all produce Supercars and have decades of experience in F1. But Red Bull seems to have the money to get things done.

Since Red Bull already has F1 teams, perhaps Haas could approach Monster Energy. They are already heavily involved in Supercross, a little in NASCAR, they may be the one for Haas to tap for funds.

Haas said he plans on advertising his name on the car(s) on his F1 team, and he's venturing into F1 in order to promote his tools.

Of course, Exxon would be the easiest, with $45 BILLION in profits last year, flipping $200 million for an F1 team in America would be chump change for them.

Danica would draw attention in F1, and definitely generate sponsors and backing, but the FIA wouldn't allow it. They're far more serious about driver qualifications than NASCAR. You can't simply buy you're way into an F1 ride like some NASCAR drivers have.

She could get a car around the track, but she didn't have what it takes to be an IndyCar winner, she sucks in NASCAR, so putting her in an F1 car would be like putting me in an NFL game as a QB. I'd last one play, then it's off to the hospital.

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Dale Earnhardt would like a word with you.

K

Yes, this has been discussed before.

In 1994, when we lost Ayrton Senna in a tragic crash, Formula 1 redesigned their tracks, and safety was of prime concern. But back in the 1980's and earlier, deaths were common. Jackie Stewart said that he stood a 1 in 4 chance he would be killed if he continued to race. Not very good odds.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

Chances of getting killed in a nascar =0
Chances pf getting killed in an F1 = very high
+ they take much more talent to drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_..._in_motorsport

Physics couldn't care less what type of car you're in --

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by ken73

When GoDaddy money dries up Panica is gone....... or... Chase needs to go to a Hendrick team (or alliance) pretty soon (as early as next year), that 10 ride is looking pretty good. AND he will bring along NAPA as a sponsor. Panica should be worried. She better improve (unlikely), or she should be SH** canned.

With FORD, Castrol, etc. pulling out of Sponsorship of John Force (Drag) Racing and "Going Elsewhere" there may be more surprise $$$ available for "new customer alignments" in NASCAR Ex: Petty - again - w FORD, etc. after DODGE pullout... IIRC - Tony Drove w Toyota BF, so "never say never" IMO.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Dale Earnhardt would like a word with you. K

Exactly; and Adam Petty, Jason Leffler, et al RIP.

[David Holmberg]

Don't sell yourself short Mike, you would last a while with a good running back.

I heard that Danica is waiting for Brett Bodine to retire so she can drive the pace car. Oddly, the same cars a lap down would still get to pass her every caution, girl can't catch a break.