Danica May be Good For NASCAR, But What About For Dale Jr.?
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Congratulations on your marriage, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick.
Well, I don’t mean the walk-down-the-aisle kind of betrothal, but more so the business marriage of convenience that they’ve apparently entered into.
According to ESPN, Patrick has agreed to a two-year contract to race part-time in the Nationwide Series for Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports.
Long may they love … err, live … err, race.
But I already see storm clouds on the horizon that, while they may not necessarily lead to divorce, are still a matter of concern nonetheless.
Given the absolutely terrible season Junior has had in 2009, the worst year of his nearly decade-long Cup career, is bringing Patrick onboard really a smart move in the whole big scheme of things?
Shouldn’t Junior be concentrating and be solely focused on resurrecting his career and vastly improving his performance in 2010? I don’t know about you, but while bringing Patrick into the company may be a great business decision, it’s going to also become something Junior doesn’t need if he’s going to try and dig himself out of the huge hole he’s fall into: a huge distraction.
And at this point in his career, distraction is the last thing the driver of the No. 88 needs right now. Sure, even if his sister Kelley runs the business side of JRM, Junior is the figurehead of the company. If Danica does poorly, who’s going to be asked about it? Junior. If Patrick does something stupid or throws a temper tantrum, or she refuses to talk to the media, who will that same media go to for comment? Yep, Junior again.
Even if Junior uses NASCAR-speak to say Patrick running for JRM is a “Kelley deal,” he’s still the man whose name is on the company stationary and the front door. He’s still the one who signs the checks, literally or figuratively. And besides being Patrick’s biggest cheerleader, Junior is also going to have to be her biggest foil if things don’t go her way.
Does he really need all that when he’s trying to get himself back on track? I don’t know, I’m just saying. But I admit it does leave a lot to think about, particularly if you’re a diehard Junior fan.
On the flip side of the coin, I’m very glad to see Patrick finally make the jump to NASCAR, even if it’s only part-time for the next two years at the very least. She reportedly already has signed a three-year deal to remain in the Indy Racing League with Andretti Green Racing, but who knows how many of those three years are contractually solid – or if she has an out after the first or second year so she can go full-time NASCAR racing?
I’m taking a much different tact and approach about Patrick regardless. I’ve criticized her at times over the years, but just as coming to NASCAR is a new chapter for her, I’m starting a clean page on my thoughts and observations on her.
I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt and wish her well. She’s got a great name to partner with, and given that she’ll be in Hendrick Motorsports equipment primarily – Junior leases or buys much of his Nationwide things from his boss – Patrick arguably is starting out in one of the best places and rides she could.
My fear, though, is that for all the good Patrick may bring to JRM and to NASCAR, it’s still going to somehow affect Junior in a negative, distracting way. That is, unless he’s using Patrick as a litmus test to possibly prematurely calling it a career as a driver himself – much like when Richard Childress joined forces with Dale’s father – and build out his budding empire as an owner, eventually joining the Sprint Cup fray, and not much longer as a driver.
Then again, who knows, maybe Patrick will inspire Junior in some way, and they ultimately may become the king and queen of NASCAR royalty in a few years.
After all, isn’t that what high-profile, fairy tale marriages are supposed to do?
Posted by Jerry Bonkowski on 11/04 at 09:43 PMJunior already has so many distractions, it’s a wonder he has time to actually drive the 88 (as I noted in a Trading Paint comment when he signed with HMS). Maybe it is time for him to step down as a driver and focus on ownership. The sport could use more good owners, because the current management of NASCAR is a major problem for the sport.
Predicition: The sign NASCAR is again a healthy sport will be when the media stops writing about Jr. He is an old story, and his continued dominance in the media is an accurate indicator at how poorly NASCAR has managed its product. And I have nothing against Jr, and wish him all the best. DP is a sideshow, nothing more.
Matthew Mark
Darmnestown, Md
“DP is a sideshow...”
I’m with you MM.
-Taglia
