It takes a big person to admit they need help. And Danica Patrick has done just that.
Patrick recently revealed that she’ll be seeking the aid of a driving coach to help put her NASCAR career in high gear.
NASCAR veteran Mark Martin has offered to serve as Patrick’s tutor. Patrick will resume her stock car career this weekend
in Charlotte.
“I really do need help,” Patrick said in an interview with Tribune newspapers. “If [Martin] was willing
to help me on any level—a little, a lot—I would be grateful for any of it.”
With the IndyCar Series season over, Patrick is set to race the remaining six NASCAR Nationwide races. Though the Nationwide
Series is one step below stock car racing’s top rung, it still attracts some of the biggest racers in the sport. Patrick
has not fared well so far. Her average finish in seven starts is 31st.
Patrick told reporters after her last 2010 IndyCar race in Miami that she has known for a while she needs help with her NASCAR
career.
“We talked about a month or two ago about having a driving coach and nothing ended up happening,” Patrick said.
“After Dover we all just kind of went, ‘You know what? We need to get this program together.’”
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Welcome to The Score, your place for hard-hitting sports business news, fast-breaking updates and fuel-injected debate. Buckle up. I'm your host, Anthony Schoettle, IBJ sports reporter.
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liek the rest of America
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These quaint,obsessed musings by the stalkers are certainly entertaining, but I'm trying to figure out what, if anything, all the yelping below has to do with Zak Brown.
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It's evident that Moffett was pushing the right buttons and corporate America is now trying to squash him. He just wanted to withdraw the free pilot services provided to the company by the pilots to try and put some pressure on a company that has not been interested in negotiating a contract in over 5 years. The company does not provide a contract because not having one has saved them a bundle of money. Shame on any Republic pilots not standing behind their union leader just because things are getting tough, can you not see such strategic moves by the company as putting the last union president in a corporate position and into THEIR pocket. Do you really believe the last union president is so appalled at the attempts by Moffett, do you not remember his oppositions to the company? We stood behind him. It has been proven over and over again for thousands of years without fail, a man cannot serve two masters. Anyone that believes people vote contrary to their paycheck and livelihood deserve to be taken advantage of, the recent statements by the former union president are laughable as he denounces the current union president from his new corporate position. Have you ever seen a drafted sports player score points for his previous team, it cannot be done, he is not on the pilots side anymore, he gets his money a different way now than you and I do, and he should not be allowed to remain on the seniority list. A drafted player brings strength, credibility, tactical knowledge, and a strategic advantage to his NEW team, he would not be drafted or paid were it otherwise. We are all forced to choose only one side to play for and support, not doing so has many references in life such as insider trading and shaving points, all illegal for good reason. This basic fact is why corporate moguls, scientist, and engineers all sign non-discloser agreements and non-compete clauses, as protection in case they are lured into switching sides as our former union president has done. No NFL coach ever drafted a player so that both teams could benefit and better understand each other, they are recruited to win the game against that former team, period. Likewise the company does not recruit the former union president by accident or mutual understanding, its strategy. Don't confuse playing the game with good sportsman-like conduct in support of common business and prosperity goals, with the requirement to only play for one side. Good men we all love and favor fall subject to this manipulation, often without their knowledge, and it is not a betrayal of their friendship to oppose them when they switch sides. If we did not love and trust them, they would not have been chosen and lured to the other side in the first place. The deception by the drafted player is not made at a conscious level, it's just human nature and it's all about money and power which corrupts our ability to be objective and loyal to two masters. This is why our court system created the defense attorney, and why our military created counter intelligence. Its strategy and its propaganda, and it works, and that's why the "powers to be" manipulate the chess pieces by sometimes changing their colors. Some players know they are being manipulated when their color is changed, but it brings them more money and power so they do not care. The rest have good intentions but do not even realize they are being manipulated. This tactic is also known by another name, Divide and Conquer. In battle sending an imperfect message with an imperfect team is obviously not ideal, but it's still being sent by YOUR team, your union leader, a leader that has common goals and common rewards with you, they are the best, because we have elected them to do a job for us. If you are not backing Moffett but believing the spin by those that have recently switched sides, you are taking food out of your own mouth. Showing unity and backing an imperfect situation still results in taking just as much ground, it's about unity and bargaining power. It's not necessary to wait around for that perfect attack because it will never come, the company will spin and attempt to destroy anyone that gets in their way. Ultimately it's not about any specific attack anyway, ASAP or whatever it makes no difference, it is and always has been only about power. If this company cared about safety it would not build pairings with 8 hour overnights, come on, are you that naive? Besides, do you really think Hoffa cares, no, he got a call from corporate America and was squeezed into denouncing Moffett. If he didn't they would spin the safety card against him and the Teamsters National with implication for truckers, future contracts, insurance rates etc...saying something like the Teamsters use safety as a bargaining chip, blah blah blah... Do you really think any pilot is going to do something unsafe for the contract, absolutely not, the only ones threatening safety here is the company with reduced rest, fatigue, and poverty. Do you not find it odd that Hoffa and the Teamsters are opposing a Teamster president publicly? Would the Teamsters National not normally support and work with one of their own? Why did they not sit down and help him strategize, correct any mistakes, and charge ahead? Would the Teamsters National not normally support and leverage a contract for all those pilots that have been paying Teamster dues, isn't that why we have all been paying Teamster dues in the first place? I sure haven't been paying dues so that the Teamsters National could come along and write this kind of an article undercutting our union leader and our unity. Whose side is the Teamsters National really on, it's obviously not the Republic pilots side.
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No matter what Moffatt does the company is going to spin it like he is the terrorist and brainwash people like you into believing it, wake up, back your players that are trying to change things for you and your livelihood. Where has Hoffa been for the last 6 years, except collecting our dues. Seriously, do you really think an FO going for upgrade, signed off by a checkairman ready for the upgrade, who then fails, is not even capable of returning as a First Officer.
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whoa!
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Glad she realized she needed help. Maybe this experience has taken her down a peg. She was a little too uppity as many drivers are.
Does this move indicate Patrick leaning to more NASCAR and less IndyCar? With Tony Kanaan chasing sponsorship $$ and another year before the new race car is introduced, there may be more financial challenges going on now in IndyCar than we might imagine. Perhaps Danica sees writing on the wall we fans cannot decipher at this time.
She will go where her handlers/agent tell her to go. It could well be NASCAR...they already claim her and given their financial, rating and crowd problems lately (they have not sold out a race for over two years) they may covet her even more.
I am also certain that since Indy Car is mentioned this Anthony blog will attract not-so-bright folks who will again use this as an opportunity to portend doom for the Indy Car Series.
For example:
'Danica knows the days of IndyCar racing as anything else other than a strictly part-time, low to no-paying, psuedo-hobbyist form of auto racing are numbered.'
Actually, she will do what her agent tells here to do. Financially, she would not have a thing to worry about in Indy Car. She is already its most widely recognized star.
'And the IndyCar form of it will be the first to go.'
That particular doom-and-gloom prediction gets proven incorrect decade after decade. Popular Mechanics ran a story with that sentiment in 1964. The sport continued. As long as those in charge are not stupid enough to de-emphasize Indy the series will be fine for decades to come.
'Mari would be advised to shut the series down after the 2011 Indy 500.'
A safer bet is that she won't. To think she will is, frankly, well beyond any acceptable level of ignorance.
'ANY money saved at this point is vital to the family. a fortune has been squandered on what ultimately has proven to be a failed enterprise.'
'Failed' in the eyes of jaded critics is far from 'failed' in real life. Perhaps one day the naysayers will start to get it. I am not counting on that, however.
That was this past weekend. She got wrecked running like 12th close to the end. She is entered in the race at Charlotte this coming Friday evening.
http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/races/2010/entrylist/31
Your ilk is entertaining in much the same way as sign carrying 'the end is near' nuts on street corners.
It's what we've come to expect and to expose...
WOOOOOT!!!!
Or, is it ok for them to go...don't let the door hit 'cha on the way out?
Iman...we haters are taking over the new Indy Car. What you gonna do then? Bwahahhahaha!
Are you that embarrassed by your IRL series that you can't even respond to questions?
Seriously, what are they putting in the water over in Marion County? What ever it is, you guys are full of it. And Bruce Martin is too.
First, I doubt NASCAR will pull the 400. Why would they? Most attended race, ojne of the top two races etc... They will try to scavenge fans, but they will not pull it.
Would AOW collapse? Hard to tell. We saw what happened to cart without the 500. It failed. I would hope the Hulmans have a plan for continuing on. My guess would be the IRL would stagger but continue. If it is as close to break even as they claim, then that push may be what it needs to walk on its own. But the answer to your question is the only ones who know are on the Board at 16th and Georgetown.
I wonder why more major news outlets don't write more favorable stories about the IRL? Anyone know?
WOOOOOT!!!!
HaY, why does Danica NEED a DRIVING COACH? She is after all IRL ELITE. Anyone know?
Oh, I forgot, you of Multiple Personality Disorder, whichever imposter you are this time has nothing POSITIVE to offer - EVER.
Sad.....
Chassis? Any one hear anything? Cotman?
Engines? Any one hear anything? VW?
Major mega activation sponsor? Verizon?
That ugly championship trophy? Dario?
Season TV ratings? Versus? Any one?
Attendance? At Homestead or any other track? Any one?
Safety team that can't put out a car fire? BBQ? Any one?
It was a banner season! yet, here we are talking about Danica and her 60 yeaar old driver coach. Elite indeed. So, what DO we do with all these fish heads?
Defender, you don't care about the future of AOW.
BerwickGuy, you don't care about the future of AOW.
You all do nothing to address the shortcomings of the lEegue....just attack the messenger if it doesn't jive with the direction the wind is blowing from 16th and Jonestown.
What's the matter with you Indy patsy's? Don't you have any backbone at all? I've never heard a negative about the speedway from any of you. According to you guy everything's coming up roses....
But you don't, and won't. Ostriches.
Why would anyone who dislikes Indy Car as much as some of these haters say they do spend any time commenting on it? That seems very far from maturity, class and adulthood. Don't like it? Fine. Why bother with it? Bothering with it is hypocritical.
I say kill it. Kill it now and save some money, Mari. The whole thing is aptehtic anymore.
THAT apology has not been offered. And so, the screwing up of AOW continues at the hands of the WORST management ever, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
So, continue to blame NASCAR or haters all you want...and continue to derail comments about the destruction of the sport under these IMS crooks and sham-artists. I will guarantee you will NEVER be able to hide the truth. EVER....because that is what you all attempt to do.
Maybe Verizon couldn't promote a guy that couldn't win the championship....AND that is a perfect explanation for the 20 minute caution for Will Power at Homestead. IRL couldnt fight its way out of a wet paper bag.
On the other hand, the Burlster just continues to prove the point. One must be nothing more that a closed minded, mamby pamby bottom feeder that ain't got no hangy down things in that list he comes up with. Hey, sure let's just throw everyone under the bus, ok everyone except the top 5 drivers. Oh, really, maybe the Burlster has spent too much time in his crawl space or the darkness of his twisted, negative mind to hate everything IndyCar.
Woe is him.......
Hopefully, he never stoops to that level. Pandering to those ignorant enough to feel such an apology is necessary does not advance the series. I would rather he told those who feel an apology is necessary to go find something else to like. Haters are expendable.
'Anthony Schottle himself blogged about it here.'
I still believe any such demand is almost as foolish as descendants of slaves wanting a payday several generations removed.
'THAT apology has not been offered. And so, the screwing up of AOW continues at the hands of the WORST management ever, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.'
Who, precisely, and in your informed opinion, would be better suited to run it?
'So, continue to blame NASCAR or haters all you want...and continue to derail comments about the destruction of the sport under these IMS crooks and sham-artists.'
While the sheer level of the hysteria associated with your rambling is consistently entertaining to adults, I have enough pity for your lack of maturity to hope that someday, somehow, you and the handful of you still shrieking like little girls will somehow figure a way to grow up.
'I will guarantee you will NEVER be able to hide the truth. EVER....because that is what you all attempt to do.'
Also entertaining is the inevitable diversion away from hysteria into abject nonsense. It is predictable.
'A major sponsor was supposed to be joining up with the IRL. Supposed to be DOUBLE the activation of IZOD. What happened?'
Terry Angstadt opened his mouth before a contract got signed. Inside sources say Verizon is preparing to substantially increase its sponsorship presence in the IZOD Indy Car Series. I will continue to patiently wait for the announcement, and will continue to hope Angstadt and crew can keep it zipped up until the moment is appropriate. I am certain the hate brigade will keep me posted, as they do for every other aspect of the IZOD Indy Car Series.
'Maybe Verizon couldn't promote a guy that couldn't win the championship....AND that is a perfect explanation for the 20 minute caution for Will Power at Homestead. IRL couldnt fight its way out of a wet paper bag.'
So you WERE watching something you say you hate. Curious behavior. You kids are, if nothing else, highly predictable.
Nowthen, does anyone have relevant commentary related to the actual blog topic, which is Danica's foray into NASCAR and using Go Grandaddy as a resource for the nuances of driving those bigger, heavier cars competitively? I still think it is probably a good idea for her.
Then you berate Marco? How many F1 or Nascar Races have been contrived. Huuuuhhh?
So why don't you come up with something valid or else go back to your vapid, crawl space and sharpen the point on your head.
Sarah is to be commended for her tenacity. She actually got Hilary Clinton to visit her shop. That's quite an accomplishment for a little team from Indy. She doesn't deserve your scorn because she's gained a few pounds. She may be a little overweight, but she can diet. Your ugly scornful attitude goes all the way to the bone.
what's in your excuse bag this time.....
Defender was right to point out how far you losers get off target. And you just have to keep piling on Sarah. Such turgid, chest pounding, feckless, churlish Quakebuttocks you two are.
Here's a snippet of Info released today:
"Sarah Fisher won the Risk Taker Award at the Leading Light Awards Gala presented by Women and Hi Tech in Indianapolis. The award recognizes Fisher's efforts to successfully pursue innovation while creating and building her Izod IndyCar Series race team, Sarah Fisher Racing. Fisher has driven in nine Indianapolis 500s."
Feel better about yourselfs as you slither back into the crawl spaces you came from?
Good name-callin', by the way, BerwickGirl. I may be a Quakebuttocks, but you're, you're, you're, why you're a stinkpie, poopie. You, you, you, fuddy-duddy.
But back to Fisher, kinda thick, don't you think?
Disingenuous you are......
Calling Sarah Fisher "thick", for example, is not name calling, but astute observation. Just as it is astute to observe her overall level of "averageness", both in skill and appearance, much like the league. And that is being generous.
Berwickshe, back to the books. Hit them hard. And do not worry about defending Sarah or the league. They know not of you.
You see, that's a great question because years ago it was about WINNING. Putting your life on the line to WIN. Win Indy, Win the Championship.
And that's where the mediocrity of today's IRL comes into play. I respect Sarah for getting her funding and racing. PERIOD.
She's not elite, although her fellow driver DANICA is? Why? You see BerwickGuy there is the problem....BOTH of them are STARZ in the IRL but have done NOTHING. IT is the mediocre nature of a current 3x winner who is better known as "Dancing with the Stars" champion than anything else. This is what the 15 years IRL occupation has wrought upon the sport.
Indy used to makes stars...all that changed some how. That's how bad it really is.
-cart died. Twice.
-Indy Car, despite continuous reminders from haters that xx number of fans left, that xx millions of dollars were lost, etc., shows no signs of collapse any time soon.
When will you kids orient yourselves in the current century and either support the sport or go find something else to do? You know, like adults?
Meanwhile, back on topic, it will be interesting to see what Mark Martin does with Danica.
Pretty cool, huh?
1987 ?
1994 ?
1997 ?
2005 ?
2007 ?
2010 ?
Compare it with something please...us big time AOW spenders want to know what this # relates to. Even bigtime outlets that have access to TV ratings numbers (like AR1, Indystar, Trackforum) can compare AGAINST numbers like ESPN's TV ratings, CART (when alive) TV ratings and attendance, etc. And, please compare with NASCAR during the same time period. Tim Richmond made $$$ in NASCAR...IRL...not.
There were 64M Versus households during the carraige dispute which continued through the 2009 IndyCar season.
With the DTV dispute resolved, the increase to 75M Versus households served to benefit IndyCars 2010 ratings. The broadcasts were available to 17% more home viewers.
Which means that promotion, advertisement, key metrics, activations, or continuity were not responsible for any increase in viewership.
Clomipramine (Anafranil),Fluvoxamine, Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil) or
Sertraline (Zoloft). All can be effective. I would recommend a visit to your mental health professional.
Defender...no one cares about mark martin and miss permapout. It just a diversion frpm the horrific IRL season and lame duck off-season.
Fun watching him throw smoke.
Thank goodness this one is winding down. Mari, I believe you were paying attention after all. Good lookin' out. The grandkids can live the life now and the grating noises can stop over at W. 16th.
Oh, there used to be a racetrack, right here.
FACT is she never would have made it against TRUE Indycar stars that that name was supposed to represent. NOW, the name is tarnished and worthless. As soon as the IRL became associated, total mediocrity.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-10-23/news/bs-md-grand-prix-challenges-20101022_1_title-sponsor-baltimore-racing-development-baltimore-grand-prix