Good news for those of us thinking about watching the NASCAR Nationwide race this weekend (it will be a first for me) and yet concerned that it will turn into a Festival of Danicagasms as the ARCA race did last weekend.
There may be moderation of the Danicamania on the horizon.
Imagine my excitement while watching NASCAR Nationwide practice on ESPN when Tony Stewart got a little edgy with Jamie Little and her man-killing pony tail (tastefully unfurled for a practice day) re: Danica.
Tony said his advice was for Danica to not listen to or get distracted by the incessant media swirl around her. Then Tony said he had to turn the TV off himself given the frenzied level of Danicagasms. Then he added "In fact, I'm a little surprised your interviewing me. She must be done for the day or something."
WHAM. After that zinger, Tony told JLil that he and Danica had talked, that Danistar is a smart person, doing a great job, soaking up info, and that he gave her advice on the differences between an IndyCar and a NASCAR.
Cut to Marty Reid in the booth who said they had been getting some push back from drivers who are a little weary of the Danica focus and being asked about Danica, etc. Marty said that with Danica bringing a lot of new fans to the NASCAR race and they needed to talk about everything Danica was doing and learning in order to educate those new fans.
You know, I actually buy that to a point, because I have watched maybe 30 laps of NASCAR in the last 10 years, so I'm a little off on the little things like you can't lock up your tars (tires) when you hit the pit speed limit line because sometimes they only change two. Interesting tidbit.
But here's the thing: whereas Danica was IT (let's be honest) in IndyCar (and that's coming from the biggest Sarah Fisher fan who is not technically related to her), in NASCAR there are many many many other drivers with large egos who have many many many fans.
So if you think Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jim Johnson, June-yer etc. etc. and their fans are going to be cool with Total Danica Fixation™ (TDF) during the race, you need to stop huffing Jeff Gordon's sponsor's products.
Yeah, they are interested in Danica. Yeah, maybe these other drivers' fans even wish her well. And yeah, they could have turned away from hate. But no, you can't ignore the rock stars for the rookie. The fans of the other drivers will revolt.
Overall this pressure to keep the ESPN coverage more like the most excellent VERSUS treatment of Danica will create enhanced viewing. And I think Danica may be glad of it too. Because she gets the undeserved backlash from Total Danica Fixation™.
So there's hope. Never thought I'd be grateful for Junior Nation.
Most NASCAR fan forums have already turned negative and are complaining about the incessant coverage. Although she "won" sixth in the ARCA race with a car that may be arguably the best ARCA car to every grace a race track, she is still a novelty in the eyes of many. The media and others have a huge investment in her success, but she has a long way to go to capture the hard core fans. Most IRL fans got tired of the hype, so I wonder how long before the NASCAR fans yell "enough".
Posted by: Jerry | February 12, 2010 at 06:27 AM
That's why I have hope that TV will pull back on the Danica focus, because they can't alienate the other drivers' fans. It will be better for everyone concerned, including Danica.
Posted by: pressdog | February 12, 2010 at 07:11 AM
"I wonder how long before the NASCAR fans yell "enough"
Probably about 50 laps.
The Danica story will be played out and worn out by about March 1st. Sooner or later, her talent will be exposed, then she will take her 4 month sabbatical to the .nothing ratings of Indy Cars and then by the time she returns to NASCAR in late June, the actual RACING season will be underway and people will be talking about points and race wins and that sort of stuff.
Posted by: Chad Paff | February 12, 2010 at 03:24 PM