History was made at the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Nationwide race at Daytona. On Lap 30 Clint Boyer, an experienced Sprint Cup racer, paired with Danica Patrick as his drafting partner. She led the lap. Granted this is a small feminist step in the world of racing, but it is a step. Danica, who races an IZOD Indy car full time, finished the race one lap down in the 14th position. This is her best NASCAR finish to date.
Danica Parick's Improvement in NASCAR Racing
At the Homestead Race in Florida last November she placed 19th. Danica is the first to admit that she needs more experience, pointing out in interviews in Florida that she only raced 12 of the 34 Nationwide races last year.
During qualifying, Danica proved she had a fast car with a 180.48 time that briefly placed her at the top of the pole. Only three other drivers beat her time: Clint Boyer at 180.821, Landon Cassill 180.6, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at 180. 592. The restrictor plate required at Daytona forces drivers who desire speed to team up with a partner, sometimes ironically called a “dancing partner.” Danica did well when being pushed but admitted her inexperience in drafting and was not able to quickly make the shift to push Boyer.
JR Motorsports Connection
Danica races a number 7 Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports of Mooresville, North Carolina, which is co-owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, his cousin Tony Eury Junior, and Rick Hendrick. Eury is also Danica’s pit crew chief and can be heard over the radio giving her frequent racing advice.
Danica, interviewed after the race, commented. “Yeah. I mean, led a lap. It was really cool that Clint pushed me. I would have loved to try and work with him, I just didn't really know what to do, you know? I really ran up front most of the day. I'm probably not to the point where if I pull out, people are going, 'OK, she's going, I'm going.' That takes awhile to earn the trust and respect of the other drivers. I'm not mad at that, it's just going to take time. It was a good experience. There was a lot to learn, and I did learn a lot. It was cool to finish all the laps.”
It will be interesting to see if Danica Patrick can continue this learning curve and do well in her other scheduled Nationwide races.
Link to other NASCAR article by author:
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Vickie Christensen - Hello. I am Vickie Christensen, a freelance writer particularly interested in travel, literature, positive psychology, finance, and ...
Join the Conversation