NASCAR surprisingly weighs in on Danica Patrick leaving SHR and it opens a ton of questions


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Normally, when any sports icon leaves a team, the people that run the sport don't say much. When a prominent athlete retires, it's customary for those executive types to offer praise.

NASCAR has gone a different way with Danica Patrick.

In remarks reported by Forbes Magazine, NASCAR says -- quite plainly -- it needs Danica Patrick. Here's what Forbes said:

Jill Gregory, NASCAR's chief marketing officer, said Patrick's presence in the series was "hugely important," adding, "She kind of transcends NASCAR. She's kind of iconic. She really resonates with kids."

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That's a very strong statement, with "hugely important," "transcends NASCAR," and "iconic" all in a 16 words.

Patrick announced Tuesday she's leaving Stewart-Haas Racing -- she couldn't find a sponsor for 2018 -- and is looking for another opportunity.

This is, quite possibly, an acknowledgement that NASCAR -- already struggling with sagging TV ratings, sponsorship losses, and attendance issues at the track -- needs a driver who is more well known for her brand than fir her work on the track. So you  have to wonder:

  • Is her marketing ability now more important to NASCAR than the results free agents like Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth have steadily produced for years?
  • Is NASCAR working behind the scenes to keep her involved in the sport?

We'll certainly see.

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