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Three Hopes for IndyCar 2010: The Franchise, The Knob and The Button

There are three things that the IndyCar faithful can take solace in as 2010 approaches ... The Franchise, The Knob and The Button.

The Franchise

Out of the ashes .... a rival. Or rivals. What The Franchise (Danica Patrick, who else?) needs is a rival. Preferably a woman. Because Danica is used to being the queen, so what would rile her more than a female rival?

Is it ON like Donkey Kong between Danica and VERSUS?

Hmmmmm. Interesting whiffs of something lately. First, there's this not-real-kind splashyness on Versus.com referring to her Daytona Nationwide race:

Which provoked this from @danicaracing, the official twitter stream of danicaracing.com.

Then finally this quote from Danistar herself as reported by Curty Cavin today:

As for the TV package, Patrick said IndyCar needs to be on ESPN to succeed. "The one advantage NASCAR has," (Danica)said, "(is ESPN) is like a speed junkie's CNN." (Read the article here.)

Junior high school crowd: "ooooooooo." I wouldn't provoke the meal ticket, VERSUS. Danica is the one driver who is completely free to say whatever she likes about whatever she wants. And she's shown little inhibition for doing just that.

Wait a second ... a BLOOD FEUD may get us some ratings. Let's run some numbers on this. It may be a good thing ...

The Apocalyse May be Upon Us ... Danica and pressdog Agree about the Delta Wing

This just in from Danica Patrick via the Indy Star re: her reaction to the Delta Wing ...

"I think we were all like, 'Are you serious?' and maybe they are," she said of DeltaWing officials. "Maybe it's (the look). I'm sure it's like fashion down the runway; it gets toned down when it gets to the street."

Danica and I agree. The world stopped spinning for a second causing me to float weightlessly above my kitchen table. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats, living together ... MASS HYSTERIA.

Nice thing about being Danistar, you really don't have to care a ton what anyone else -- owners, league, whoever -- thinks about your opinion because ... you're Danistar. What they gonna do? Kick you out of the league. Don't think so.

Extreme and sustained shout outs to Curt Cavin for scoring the quote. RUSH HERE to reward him with your traffic and see what Andretti Autosport plans to do about getting their Big Three status back in 2010.

600 Tickets to Des Moines Baconfest GONE in 25 minutes

Maybe the Indy Racing League should start having a baconfest in conjunction with its races.

All 600 tickets to the third annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival 2010 in Des Moines on Feb. 27 were SOLD in 25 minutes. Tickets were about $33 each. The event was even moved to a new venue that could hold double the crowd from last year and they still sold out faster than a Taylor Swift concert.

The lust for proper bacon knows no limit. Organizers say they have enough bacon on hand to supply participants with 1.5 pounds EACH.

Check out details of the event HERE.

Bad News for Haters: Danica Moving the NASCAR Needle

I'm starting to wonder who has the most "please roll your car end-over-end" vibes being shot at them ... Kyle Busch or Danica Patrick.

After just three races, anti-Danicas have declared her a fraud and failure in NASCAR. Pfft. As if. Simmer down. Running in the top five in Nationwide in your third stock car race EVER? This ain't Talladega Nights where Ricky Bobby can go from jack man to driver and almost win his first race.

Danistar Does Vegas Viewing Guide

Here's the skinny on all things Danica Patrick this weekend (all times EASTERN) ..

Friday, 2/26

2 to 3 p.m., SPEED -- NASCAR Nationwide Series PRACTICE, Sam's Town 300, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

4:30 to 6 p.m., SPEED -- NASCAR Nationwide Series FINAL PRACTICE, Sam's Town 300, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Saturday, 2/26

12 noon to 1:30 p.m., SPEED -- NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Sam's Town 300, Las Vegas Motor Speedway

4:30 to 8 p.m., ESPN 2 -- NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam's Town 300, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (expect green at 4:46 p.m.)

Tick-Tock ... Time Running Short to Write to Randy by March 1

One last plea for everyone who cares to write to the new IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard before his first day on the job, March 1.

I don't care what you say a'tall. Love the Delta Wing, hate it, want more popcorn at events, think English drivers are awesome, WHATEVER. Just make sure it's YOUR opinion, and heavy on what would get you to care more/spend more time and money on IndyCar.

Paul Tracy himself endorsed this effort (indirectly) when he tweeted recently (in a fit of rage, but still) that you're the customer. Let them know what you will buy and what you won't. Here are the addresses ...

Paper mail:

Randy Bernard
CEO, Izod IndyCar Series
4790 W 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222

For electronic messages, use the form at: http://www.indycar.com/contact/ Just select "Marketing" in "Send to:" drop down and address it to "Dear Randy Bernard" in the message area.

Silent Pagoda Offers Fifth IndyCar Chassis Design

pressdog.com has learned that the engineers of The SilentPagoda LLC plan to unveil a fifth contender for the 2012 IndyCar very soon. Building on DeltaWing LLC's chief designer's statement that the open wheels cause 54% of the car's aero drag, SilentPagoda LLC's breakthrough conquers that hurdle in a futuristic package.

Check the story and some secret photos of the prototype HERE.

Panther Helps Raise Righteous Coin

The peeps at Panther have helped raise mongo cash for the National Guard Youth Foundation. Read all about it in the Official News Release below.

Rahal Looks at NASCAR

Curty Cavin from the Indy Star busts out today with a story about Graham Rahal chatting up NASCAR. Better get over there and read it.