Danica Patrick Brings New Excitement to NASCAR

Move over boys, NASCAR has a new set of fans, as shining star Danica Patrick is bringing a whole new demographic to the sport.  Finishing a respectable eighth place in the recent grueling Daytona 500, Patrick was the first woman to ever win the pole position in a Sprint Cup race.  She was also named Top Rookie after the race.

After winning the pole position with a spectacular racing speed of 196.434 mph, Danica Patrick had the Daytona buzz elevated to a dull roar.  Consequently during the Daytona 500 race, Fox television got an overnight rating of 10 and a 22 share.  That’s a 30 percent improvement over last year’s Daytona 500, which ended up being run on a Monday due to rain, and a 22 percent improvement over 2011.

Could it be that the ladies are tuning in to watch this new moto-maven of NASCAR?  Recent surveys indicate that Patrick is attracting new fans to NASCAR of both genders, and that “more than 65 percent of relatively new NASCAR fans are much more interested in the sport today than they were a year ago,” according to Forbes Magazine.  Even hardcore Neanderthals have to admit, she’s good for the sport.  People tune in to watch her.  She has star power.

Over the eight days of the Daytona 500, Danica Patrick broke all kinds of records held by fellow female race car driver Janet Guthrie back in the 70s.  She remained among the front five for most of the race, and was the first woman driver to lead a green flag lap in a top division NASCAR, which she did for five circuits.  She was also the first woman driver to finish in the top ten in the Daytona 500.

Those who missed Danica Patrick in the Daytona 500 can catch her at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 8, 9 and 10, for the continuation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.  Tickets are available at Stub.com for all three days.

Categorized in: Racing