Danica Better Give Possible Move to NASCAR Some Serious Thought

One of the loudest buzzes in motor sports the past couple of weeks comes in the form of one tiny, but potent, package -- Danica Patrick. Does she dare make the daunting move from the IndyCar Series to NASCAR?

Only those close to her know Danica's true intentions, but we can say with certainty she is a savvy business woman. Making public her willingness to entertain any and all offers from both series is a prudent business decision. Danica may have every intention of remaining in the IndyCar Series and simply jumping from Andretti-Green Racing to Chip Ganassi's team, so she could very well be using the NASCAR chatter as a bargaining chip. She possesses the driving ability and marketing appeal to demand her price and place.

More Coverage: Get NASCAR on SPEED TV Schedule

Danica has said, though, that if she were to venture into NASCAR, it would be for a top-tier team at the top level, which one must assume means the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I don't think she's interested in progressing through the NASCAR Camping World Truck or Nationwide Series, which many people think would be a mistake to circumvent. While it appears Danica wants to be with the "big boys" from the get-go, I don't think that's the right move for her.

That's not a personal swipe at Danica but a mere observation of the performance of other former open wheelers in NASCAR. Judging by the stats of Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti and others, it would be foolish to say she would make it in NASCAR.

Those guys are Indy 500 and IRL champions, yet they struggled in stock cars amidst a steep learning curve. After less than stellar results in the Cup Series, Franchitti returned to IndyCar and now is succeeding immensely. He didn't forget how to drive during his NASCAR stint - his lack of performance simply reinforced how different the two series are. Danica has won only one IRL race and has no championships, so on paper, it is doubtful she would thrive in NASCAR.

Juan Pablo Montoya was very vocal this week about how tough it would be for her. Montoya is the most successful open wheel driver in recent years but is still trying to crack the elite ranks and make the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. However, he finally is inching his way toward that goal and probably has the best perspective of what a long and challenging road it has been. Montoya says the difficulty lies in the differences between the cars, noting that in the IndyCar Series, cars do what drivers want them to do, whereas in stock cars, vehicles are much heavier and harder to maneuver.

If Danica were to make the leap to NASCAR with the goal of being a legitimate, successful driver, then stock cars would be a bad career move for her. Wins won't come easily, if at all. But if her ambition is to further her marketability, make lots of money, star in commercials and sell products, she will be an absolute and unequivocal success. Danica is a marketer's dream and doesn't need to frequent Victory Lane to maintain that status. But she's a very bright lady who has surrounded herself with the right agents and representatives and I can guarantee she is weighing all these factors or she wouldn't be the marketing powerhouse she already is.

NASCAR certainly recognizes the marketing impact Danica could have on their sport and they're probably falling all over themselves to lure her into the fold. With a single IRL win, Danica has established herself as a brand and has cornered the market in Indy cars. She has proven herself and doesn't need NASCAR to extend her success. But NASCAR could sure use her. I've seen estimates that Danica's presence in the sport could generate upwards of $50 million in new sponsorship and marketing dollars, and I'd be crazy to disagree with that.

Danica has said she won't make an announcement on her future until the conclusion of the IndyCar Series season, which wraps up in October. But considering that the Cup Series finishes up closer to Thanksgiving and kicks off in early February, she has to be weighing the fact that the IndyCar season and weekends are much shorter. Not only would Danica face the learning curve of the race car itself, she'd also have to contend with a more grueling schedule and lifestyle in NASCAR. And I'm not convinced she really wants that.

Krista Voda is the host of NCWTS Setup, the popular pre-race program for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on SPEED, as well as a NASCAR pit reporter for FOX Sports. A veteran of the NASCAR garage, Voda also hosts The SPEED Report and was the first female to host a NASCAR pre-race show. She hosted Totally NASCAR and NASCAR Nation on SPEED, in addition to serving as a reporter and pre-race show host for AMA. Voda also has extensive experience in radio and local television and works as a sideline reporter for the NFL and BCS on FOX. For more information on Voda or to access the NASCAR on SPEED programming schedule, please visit www.speedtv.com.