what a nice girl!

[trolloni]

Danica Patrick ,Who thought this was a good idea? guess this wasnt thought out to well!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Actually it was thought out very well.

Look at the insane amount of pub she gets, and the huge sponsor $$$$$.

[Wanderer]

At first I didn't understand why Hornish ran her up the track like that and I was thinkin she was just sticking up for herself. Later though when I heard Hornish's explanation of a tire going down and watching the replay, it made sense.

She was just caught in the wrong spot at the wrong time and reacted with a rookie move. It's never good to turn a car to the outside but it seemed worse due to the crash of the 14 car just before.

She has a long way to go but I don't mind her being out there.

[harvey lee]

Actually it was thought out very well.

Look at the insane amount of pub she gets, and the huge sponsor $$$$$.

Exaclty right Eric. She is worth big bucks to the team.

As with any rookie driver, it takes time to get to know each track and how to race it. One can tell you but expierence is worth so much more. She is no different than any other rookie.

[SledNeck]

How many football or baseball players are brought in to start just for potential financial gains?

[SledNeck]

Exaclty right Eric. She is worth big bucks to the team.

As with any rookie driver, it takes time to get to know each track and how to race it. One can tell you but expierence is worth so much more. She is no different than any other rookie.

is she still considered a rookie?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Yes

[gregg52]

seems to me the 18 missed a race for the same thing

other than hornish not running for a championship

[PurpleFloyd]

Well, all you single guys have hope again. She is back on the market...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Danica Patrick and her husband are divorcing after seven years of marriage.

Patrick announced the split with Paul Hospenthal on her Facebook page Tuesday.

"I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided amicably end our marriage," she said. "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."

Hospenthal is a physical therapist who met Patrick while treating her for a non-racing injury. The two were married in 2005, and he is 17 years older than the 30-year-old driver.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/ra...l#ixzz2CoVXlbkX

[gregg52]

I do believe shes going to cup wayyyyyyyyyyyyy to soon

and wondering is going to 4 teams to keep her wh en havick gets there

[yaggie]

To sponsors she is worth much more than Harvick, and this is how the game is played.

[harvey lee]

Sponsor money I believe is the only reason she was allowed to drive for a team owner. She can bring in the cash but I wonder how long she will last?

I guess as long as the sponsor money is more than all the wrecked equipment.

[gregg52]

she's way over her pretty head in cup

she had some top 10's in nationwide

i doubt she get any in cup

maybe get lucky on last lap wreck or something

but she wont race into to the top 10

\its a new learning curve all over

more hp heavier cars etc etc

i doubt she's a better driver that montoya, hornish and all the other

indy car drivers that tried nascar

[harvey lee]

But I would bet not one of the drivers you mentioned can even come close to bringing in the dollars Danica does.

I agree with what you said greeg but Danica right now is sponsor dollars for any team she is on.

Tony and Jr are both business smart and they knew she would bring in big bucks.

Will she ever be a contender, I highly doubt it but one never knows. I thought by now Kyle B would have won a Chase but no, I was wrong there too so who knows with Danica.

[gregg52]

ya i think that will slow down after a year or so of 25 to 35th finishes

maybe not

i think they shouild try johana long shes young and would maybe have a future i'm sure she would clean up well ...lol

[Juneau4]

Sex sells in commercials (anywhere) and DP sure looks a lot better than--? Most viewers of NASCAR are male. Now if she was Mark Martin's age she probably wouldn't be getting a sponsor.

[PurpleFloyd]

Sex sells in commercials (anywhere) and DP sure looks a lot better than--? Most viewers of NASCAR are male. Now if she was Mark Martin's age she probably wouldn't be getting a sponsor.

Wait a minute. Wasn't he sponsored by Viagra for years? Seems like that would be a pretty good tie in to me.

[Juneau4]

Guys don't like being told they need Viagra. What sort of a sponsor will she need at 50? I know --- the most popular hair dye and color of the time. Will it be blonde or black? I just bet it won't be gr----ay.

[harvey lee]

Looks like she is on the market again as she and Paul, her hubby, are splitting.

[gregg52]

sponser at 50 ????

I'm thinking not she will be long gone before that

she's by no means no mark m......lol

she could get a lucky finish in one of these plate races

but other than that I dont see her finishing much above 20-25th all season

she should have stayed in bush for another yr or 2 or try to win a championship there which I doubt she could do...and the fact they are trying to make a race out of her and stenhouse for the rookie of the yr is plain fooiish!!!!!!!

[harvey lee]

Totally agree Gregg.

I believe the only reason Danica is there is she is marketable and can bring in sponsor dollars. When she does not do well enough, she will be gone. I would guess at the most, 2 more years unless she starts to finish very well soon or win a race or two.