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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Talkin’ Smack At Daytona
Is Danica Patrick too much of a good thing?
Tom Jensen  |  Posted February 12, 2010   Daytona Beach, FL
Danica Patrick will race in the NASCAR Nationwide Drive4COPD 300 Daytona International Speedway this weekend. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Welcome to this week's edition of Talkin' Smack, SPEEDtv.com's square-off between leading NASCAR jabberjawers. This week's contestants are Jim Pedley, founder of www.racintoday.com, and a long-time auto racing writer, and Tom Jensen, editor-in-chief of SPEEDtv.com.

BIGGER STORY AT SPEEDWEEKS: GREAT RACING OR DANICA PATRICK?
PEDLEY: Danica is the biggest story. Followed by Danica and then by Danica. The great racing, which started with the Shootout, is just that – great. But in sports in this country today, it is compelling people stories which grab attention. And brother, is Danica compelling.

JENSEN: Danica the big story? Pshaw. Sure, she has more media folks trailing in her wake this week than Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton on girl's night out, but Danica is the flavor of the week. Longer term, if NASCAR's changes — new aero packages, multiple green-white-checkers, relaxed attitudes, etc. — result in better racing, it will have a huge impact in terms of bigger crowds. And if attendance and TV ratings soar, the money will flow. Danica is a big deal this weekend; great racing is the key to a strong resurgence in the sport.

FEELGOOD STORY OF THE DUELS: MIKEY OR MAD MAX?
JENSEN: For sure, it's Mad Max Papis. The likable and emotional Italian driver has put his heart and soul into getting a foothold into NASCAR. Making the Daytona 500 for him was huge. Huge. “You know, it's difficult to explain in words what this means for us,” Papis said after racing his way into the Big Dance. “It's the beginning of the season. For me, my first ever laps on a Cup car around Daytona. I mean, I'm speechless because you guys need to really, you know — I know you know this, but those guys out there, they are the best of the best in the world. When you can compete with them, when you have someone like Mark Martin coming to you and saying, 'I'm really happy that you made the show,' it means the world for me.”

PEDLEY: Mikey. If you were not sitting on the edge of your seat with Waltrip as he watched that final Duel, make an appointment with your doctor. Just the circumstance was incredible as it was all captured on television. Plus, I think by volume, he shed just a little more tear.

HAVING A BETTER SPEEDWEEKS SO FAR, KASEY KAHNE OR KEVIN HARVICK?
PEDLEY: Kahne. Harvick’s Shootout victory was darn cool and the way he has suddenly emerged at the right times during the races, has been compelling. But Kahne’s victory in his Duel cinched it. What a drive.

JENSEN: Harvick. Last year, Kahne won two races, while Harvick struggled mightily at Richard Childress Racing. So far this Speedweeks, Harvick's won the Budweiser Shootout and came within .005 seconds of capturing his Duel. On Sunday, he'll have a great chance to end his two-year winless streak in points races.


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