'Auto Racing's Biggest Name: Danica Patrick'

Discussion in 'Other Sports' started by mandingo, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    Now, I'm not posting this because they're talking about Danica, it's just that no American driver is currently auto racing's biggest name, either.

    I hear this all the time on ESPN.

    Just overheard on ESPN...

    The vast majority of racing fans in the world, including many in the U.S., could name every single driver in F1, and the top drivers of LeMans, and WRC, and Dakar before they even gave half a thought to IndyCar or NASCAR. Indeed, it's debatable whether Danica is American racing's current biggest name, but she certainly doesn't even approach being the best, in spite of incessant media attempts to pump her up as such.

    Typical ESPN myopia.
     
  2. OrangeBlooded

    OrangeBlooded 500+ Posts

    well ****. hornfans' biggest racefan just posted something on danica's less than mediocre success race career expecting something more....?
     
  3. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    Is that a question?

    If so, not sure what you're asking.
     
  4. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    I'm Hornfans biggest race fan. [​IMG]

    and I think they overestimate the racing fans of the world. The only reason the F1 grid is known, is because they keep throwing the same retreads on any new team. Its like coaching in the NFL a few years ago. Thankfully teams have moved on to some new talent.
     
  5. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    Out of the 22 current F1 drivers, at least 12 have 4 years experience or less, and only two of those have switched teams. Sure, drivers get retreaded from time to time, but that happens in any sport. It usually happens in midseason in F1, and even then it isn't happening as often as it used to.

    The reason the F1 grid is known is because people all over the world follow it like we follow the Horns.

    I can walk down the street in Mexico and strike up a conversation about soccer, which I know nothing about, with anyone. Obviously, they'll know everything about it. But I can do the same thing with F1, or Rally, too. The guy who sweeps the sidewalk at the hotel or the guy who cleans the fish when the boats come in can talk knowledgeably all day about F1.
     
  6. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    Wow...170,000 people showed up for a Renault Exhibition show featuring Fernando Alonso...
    The Link

    ...not a race, a 1-driver demo.
     
  7. Hornin Hong Kong

    Hornin Hong Kong 1,000+ Posts

    No way danica is a biggertr draw than some of the big nascar drivers
     
  8. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    I agree.
     
  9. THEU

    THEU 2,500+ Posts

    Danica is probably the MOST recognizable race car driver in the US. Like it or not, that is probably true. She is a cute girl who is in many many ads. She is known for that MUCH more than any on track accomplishments.
    Most American's can't identify a single race driver, but if they can it is probably Danica.
    I don't think ESPN is wrong about that fact, which is what I believe they are pointing out.
    btw... of course Danica is over rated on the track and WAY too much is made of her... but it has to do with her gender as well.... come on.. don't be so bitter..
     
  10. accuratehorn

    accuratehorn 10,000+ Posts

    Our auto racing is like American football. Nobody worldwide knows any college football stars, but we all do. Formula 1 is what, the second or third most watched sport in the world? It is huge, but nobody in the U.S. knows anything about it.
    Just different audiences, that's all.
    Danica Patrick may be better known than almost any U.S. driver, due to her commercials, gender, and publicity, but not for being a dominant force on the track. It will add something to NASCAR if she drives in that series next year, some interest.
    Who was the last American to be known world-wide as a top race car driver, Mario Andretti? A.J. Foyt, Mark Donohue, Dan Gurney? It's been a long time.
     
  11. BigWill

    BigWill 2,500+ Posts

    Danica's name is about to get bigger, because she's gonna be racing in the Nationwide for Stewart Haas next year.
     
  12. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    What's funny is that there's about to be an American racing in F1 next year for the USF1 team. Maybe Jonathan Summerton, not sure yet. Anyway, whomever that driver is will instantly be known by more race fans worldwide than any other American driver...and it won't be close...but he'll be known by relatively few fans here in the states.
     
  13. CanaTigers

    CanaTigers 2,500+ Posts


     
  14. accuratehorn

    accuratehorn 10,000+ Posts

    You could put it that way about Danica, or you could say no American driver has achieved much that is noteworthy on the worldwide stage in many years.
     
  15. Texas_Rocks

    Texas_Rocks 500+ Posts


     
  16. Lat22

    Lat22 1,000+ Posts

    Auto racing's biggest name died in 2001.
     
  17. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts


     
  18. Lat22

    Lat22 1,000+ Posts

    You mean there's racin' outside of America? [​IMG]
     
  19. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

    Wink, wink,. Nudge, nudge.
     
  20. DRAG69

    DRAG69 1,000+ Posts

    F1 in America is just like soccer....most people here do not give a f**k. It is also like soccer in another way......it is boring as hell.

    Most Americans know who Dale Jr. is as well as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. They also know Danica.

    F1 and soccer will never be as popular as NASCAR and football in the United States.
     
  21. Owlhorn

    Owlhorn 500+ Posts

    F1 has been pretty awesome this year. The new rules, right or wrong have mixed things the heck up.

    And NASCAR is all about the personalities. Outside of the short tracks, there is nothing entertaining about NASCAR races. The cars aren't fast and they aren't quick. But they sure can rub
     
  22. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts


     
  23. F1Longhorn

    F1Longhorn 250+ Posts


     
  24. mandingo

    mandingo 2,500+ Posts

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