NaroEscape

I don't disagree there, I'm just saying give her credit for her accomplishments that's all. I have no expectations shes going to be the next Jimmie Johnson/Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt/Richard Petty, etc. maybe she'll be only a Dale Jr....more hype than victories. Either way, she's accomplished more against a mountain of odds than most of us ever will or could even imagine.

ltc

Motorsports is entirely about money ... Sounds like something Gordon Gecko would say ... But it's entirely true.

It starts at karting and continues all the way up to the top series.
There are pay drivers for a reason.

multi21

^^^ Schumacher and Kimi came from very humble beginnings but were able to catch the eye of the right people. I don't know if that's the case anymore at the pro rank whether it's F1, Nascar, etc. because more often than not $$ > talent.

Unlike the stick and ball sports, if you think it's not about the $$, go to your next club race. It's just the way it is nowadays

Circuit Motorsports

Dale jr won a couple of Busch (nationwide) championships. I'd say he is considerable more accomplished than Danica.

I think that is where a lot of people have issues. He came in with championships and wins at the lower levels as well as the Earnhardt name. He earned the hype through results and not just genetics.

Her hype is the two x chromosomes and a solid not stellar run up through the NASCAR and open wheel professional ladder. She hasn't earns the hype through the racing.

Does she have the skills to be in the sprint cup. Yep.

Her biggest issue is mental right now. She drives like she doesn't want to screw up IMO and that costs her especially early in races. She's in a tough spot because of the pressure she puts on herself. Hopefully smoke can get her going down the right path.

multi21

I think you nailed it. Driving to "not lose" rather than to win. This happens in the stick and ball sports a lot. She needs to drive like she just doesn't care what people think as long as her team is happy with her performance.

ltc

Her problem is that she knows she will never live up to the hype.

She is the star attraction at a ratings hungry entertainment enterprise masquerading as a professional motorsport organization.

They are forced to pay teams to simply start the race in order to keep their television contracts from being violated (guaranteeing a certain number of cars to start each race).
TV ratings are down, attendance is down, revenues are down, Earnhardt Jr. didn't do it, so now it's Danica's turn.

z06801

I like her, but she looked hotter getting out of a ALMS LMP2 car

winders

She did well....her inexperience hurt on the last lap though.....

Scott

aviography

She did better than anyone here can.

Streak

Can't argue the result today. She was top 10 or higher almost all day. Never put a wheel wrong.

mglobe

Agreed, but she can hold her head high. Great accomplishment and proved she belongs

Carrera51

She drove a good race. Experience on super speedways got Jr. and Mark Martin etc around her at the end. She stuck with Biffle to the end. She made friends drafting on track and that will pay off at the other plate races.

Should she have gambled and dropped down low early? Who knows. The high groove was fast all day.

MUSSBERGER

Good race.

Congrats to JJ

multi21

Is this her first Daytona 500? Let me get this straight.... she got pole, led a lap, ran in the top 10 most of the day, up to 3rd with a couple to go and finished 8th?

Is this really her first Daytona 500?

NaroEscape

No, I think she ran it last year.