0 0 1 303 1732 Elder HS 14 4 2031 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The name Danica Patrick has become evident on the Nascar scene ever since she began racing in the IndyCar series in 2005. 2013 will be her first year racing full time on the Sprint Cup Series., Nascar’s biggest stage. As a guy, it’s hard not to appreciate her beauty, she’s a goddess, but seeing headline after headline and excess coverage of her mediocre racing is painstaking. Why does she get all this publicity? Well, it’s not because she’s the first female driver, ask the fifteen females that came before her. Two weeks ago she finished eighth at the Daytona 500. A top ten finish is impressive but I didn’t see one headline for Regan Smith, the driver who finished seventh in the race. In 2012-2013 in twelve races Danica has one top ten finish and is averaging around 26 th place, granted there’s only been two races so far this year. If she lacks the talent, how dioes she continue to make it in Nascar? The answer is only a URL away. GoDaddy.com. She was granted this large sponsorship before really accomplishing anything. But as long as she continues to bring in revenue for GoDaddy.com and her most recent sponsor, Coca-Cola, these companies will continue to back her. I’m not much of a Nascar buff, but I have some friends who are. Local mini-sprint driver TJ Heil told me “I’m not saying she’s bad, but there are definitely drivers who deserve more publicity.” Bobby Mengler also follows Nascar closely and said this, “She’s an average driver, it’s not fair how much publicity she gets for being a woman. She hasn’t won anything.” And close friend and Nascar guru Toby Bolte who was in attendance at the Daytona 500 closed with this, “I have a lot of respect for her, it’s amazing what she’s doing to the sport, but she’s not that good of a driver.” All these are valid points. It’s hard not to root for her, being the underdog in a male-dominated sport. I know this year has just begun and there are plenty of races but until she begins to rack in more top ten finishes and even victories, she will simply be overrated.