Danica Closer to AGR deal

Danica will stay in the IRL because IMG or whoever is marketing her knows that she would be a total flop in NASCAR.

If she ever qualified or was part of the system they use in NASCAR where so many points guarantess an entry can you imagine her running side by side nose to nose, tail to tail with all those cars? No freakin way!!!

Danica has some talent but is an overhyped useful appetizer to the the fringe viewer. Every oval I turn to always seems to indicate she is running 5th , 6th or 7th. With the money she has from Motorola I would expect she have podiums and wins galore at this stage.

Turn 3 mentioned earlier that she had superior quality machinery or words to that effect. I agree. Give Sarah Fisher that car and I bet there would have been wins by now. Oh, more than one fuel conservation win at "Motegi Japan" wink wink.

By the way. this 2,3,4 car argument I hear depending on DP staying becuase of her large sponsorship; what does that have to do with Motorola. If they are sponsoring Patrick why should that impact any other part of the team. Are you suggesting a Adrian Fernadez, Tecate, Gigante scenario???

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Originally Posted by Gluaistean

Danica will stay in the IRL because IMG or whoever is marketing her knows that she would be a total flop in NASCAR.

If she ever qualified or was part of the system they use in NASCAR where so many points guarantess an entry can you imagine her running side by side nose to nose, tail to tail with all those cars? No freakin way!!!

Danica has some talent but is an overhyped useful appetizer to the the fringe viewer. Every oval I turn to always seems to indicate she is running 5th , 6th or 7th. With the money she has from Motorola I would expect she have podiums and wins galore at this stage.

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IMG is leading the charge for her to go to NASCAR. They get paid a percentage of what she makes and the money potential is at least three times or more in NASCAR than in the IRL. Dale Jr. is a total flop in NASCAR, performance wise, yet he remains one of the top (if not the top) in money earned through his "brand".

Performance is not a consideration for IMG, but building the brand and maximizing the cash potential is. She is currently earns more in the IRL than any other driver, yet her performance, as you noted, falls below several others.

It is not a question of if, but when. IMG and NASCAR want her to take the jump next year (the boost in ratings, justifies their pursuit). The ball is firmly in her court and there are several intersting scenarios in place that she could go after.

If she leaves AGR/AG, that would put a huge hole in the budget, and there would be some significant changes in the team structure.

anyone have any idea when this will all finnally play out?

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Originally Posted by Ken

anyone have any idea when this will all finnally play out?

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When the check clears the bank.

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Originally Posted by EagleEye

IMG is leading the charge for her to go to NASCAR. They get paid a percentage of what she makes and the money potential is at least three times or more in NASCAR than in the IRL. Dale Jr. is a total flop in NASCAR, performance wise, yet he remains one of the top (if not the top) in money earned through his "brand".

Performance is not a consideration for IMG, but building the brand and maximizing the cash potential is. She is currently earns more in the IRL than any other driver, yet her performance, as you noted, falls below several others.

It is not a question of if, but when. IMG and NASCAR want her to take the jump next year (the boost in ratings, justifies their pursuit). The ball is firmly in her court and there are several intersting scenarios in place that she could go after.

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The obvious take is that people around her are just in it for the money. There may be potential there, but I disagree that the ball in her court. She doesn't own the ball, or the team.

What seems forgotten is that it isn't up to her or even IMG to decide if she gets a contract offer. She can "go after" anything she wants, but she may not get it. Her "brand" isn't that powerful. Some team has to decide that she brings enough to the team to convince them to make an offer. Of course, she (or IMG) could buy a ride. From the few reports that have surfaced, IMG was not met with open arms with their "charge" to get her into NASCAR.

The suggestion is that she will bring in so much money someone will take her on just for the sponsorship and promotion. Yet no one have shown where these big money sponsors are coming from. In a day when top teams with proven winners are having trouble getting and keeping sponsors, the idea that a novelty act will be the hot ticket just seems a bit far-fetched. At some level, performance does count.

There has been a long pattern shown by Danica and her handlers making repeated claims of opportunities that turned out to be pipe dreams, or just plain fantasy. Over the years, people from Bernie E to Jack Roush and Tony Steward have found themselves forced to make public statements disputing claims from her camp.

As the saying goes, I will believe it when I see it. IMHO, her little gamesmanship to push up the value of her "brand" could backfire. A number of people have suggested that she may not have a chair when the music stops.

As for Dale, Jr being a flop, that is just hogwash. There are many in NASCAR who would take his record, even this year. Not only has he won multiple times in Sprint Cup (18), but has been in the top 10 in points 4 times. In Busch he had 22 wins and 2 championships. Not bad for a flop.

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Originally Posted by beachbum

The obvious take is that people around her are just in it for the money. There may be potential there, but I disagree that the ball in her court. She doesn't own the ball, or the team.

What seems forgotten is that it isn't up to her or even IMG to decide if she gets a contract offer. She can "go after" anything she wants, but she may not get it. Her "brand" isn't that powerful. Some team has to decide that she brings enough to the team to convince them to make an offer. Of course, she (or IMG) could buy a ride. From the few reports that have surfaced, IMG was not met with open arms with their "charge" to get her into NASCAR.

The suggestion is that she will bring in so much money someone will take her on just for the sponsorship and promotion. Yet no one have shown where these big money sponsors are coming from. In a day when top teams with proven winners are having trouble getting and keeping sponsors, the idea that a novelty act will be the hot ticket just seems a bit far-fetched. At some level, performance does count.

There has been a long pattern shown by Danica and her handlers making repeated claims of opportunities that turned out to be pipe dreams, or just plain fantasy. Over the years, people from Bernie E to Jack Roush and Tony Steward have found themselves forced to make public statements disputing claims from her camp.

As the saying goes, I will believe it when I see it. IMHO, her little gamesmanship to push up the value of her "brand" could backfire. A number of people have suggested that she may not have a chair when the music stops.

As for Dale, Jr being a flop, that is just hogwash. There are many in NASCAR who would take his record, even this year. Not only has he won multiple times in Sprint Cup (18), but has been in the top 10 in points 4 times. In Busch he had 22 wins and 2 championships. Not bad for a flop.

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I would tend to agree with regard to Danica. This is what I've been saying all along, in part. I don't think she'll be left without a seat simply because she does have some sponsorship backing. Even if not to the level that Motorola and her group from the past 3 years, she does seem to have some coming to the table (i.e. Boost, Go Sissy, etc.). Because money is at such a premium, I'm sure somebody will put her in something on the IRL grid unfortunately.

I'm not a fan of Dale Jr. by any means, much for the same reason I'm not of Danica. His performance does not live up to his hype. By NASCAR standards he's probably not a flop because he has won and he has been competitive. The big BUT is though, he's been in bar none top of the crop Hendrick equipment now for 2 years and has not only been dusted by his teammates, he hasn't sniffed anything more than a Danica-like fuel economy win at MIS last year. The comparison between the 2 of them is fair, Dale Jr. has just a little more of an argument that he's not a flop.

I'm not a big Dale, Jr. fan either. But just because of all that he's won in the past (including the Daytona 500) and the fact that she's a one time lifetime winner, maybe he is a has been now - but The Danica really is a never was. Let's just be honest folks; there is one reason, and only one reason that Danica comes up in discussions. What other one time lifetime winner gets a thread, much less multiple threads? By winning that one race, she did accomplish something. I wouldn't take that away from her. But just as a driver, gender aside, what are we talking about? Not much, IMO. She's a PR created, media sensation.

Strictly as a race car driver, she's got more in common with Buckshot Jones than she does Dale, Jr. (IMO).

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Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior

I'm not a big Dale, Jr. fan either. But just because of all that he's won in the past (including the Daytona 500) and the fact that she's a one time lifetime winner, maybe he is a has been now - but The Danica really is a never was. Let's just be honest folks; there is one reason, and only one reason that Danica comes up in discussions. What other one time lifetime winner gets a thread, much less multiple threads? By winning that one race, she did accomplish something. I wouldn't take that away from her. But just as a driver, gender aside, what are we talking about? Not much, IMO. She's a PR created, media sensation.

Strictly as a race car driver, she's got more in common with Buckshot Jones than she does Dale, Jr. (IMO).

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Two points to make. Hendrick has always seems to have 3 very good teams and one that is doing relatively poorly. For years it was the 5 team with revolving drivers. This year, it seems Junior's team is the laggard. I am not a big fan of Junior, but at least he often uses his popularity to take some controversial positions about the sport. For the record, Junior's average finish in 2006 and 2008 was higher than Jeff Gordon's, so I guess Gordon was a flop those years.

Second point. GoDaddy just announced major sponsorship of Mark Martin at Hendrick, as well as retaining the sponsorship at Junior's team. As big as they are, that probably doesn't leave much left over for Danica. Since many thought they were her big hope for big bucks, things may not be so rosy on her sponsorship front.

IHMO, she will be back at AGR next year, but the contract may not be as good as she has now. Early rumors were that it would only be a 1 year deal, and after all of the noise about going to NASCAR, I can't see AGR wanting to make a long term commitment.

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Originally Posted by beachbum

The obvious take is that people around her are just in it for the money. There may be potential there, but I disagree that the ball in her court. She doesn't own the ball, or the team.

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She has plenty of offers. She owns the "brand", and that is what people are after.

[/quote]What seems forgotten is that it isn't up to her or even IMG to decide if she gets a contract offer. She can "go after" anything she wants, but she may not get it. Her "brand" isn't that powerful. Some team has to decide that she brings enough to the team to convince them to make an offer. Of course, she (or IMG) could buy a ride. From the few reports that have surfaced, IMG was not met with open arms with their "charge" to get her into NASCAR.{/quote]

Actually she has a signed deal with IMG, and they have a financial interest in her. While the decision is hers to make, IMG pulls a lot of weight. And her "brand" is stronger than you think.

[/quote]
The suggestion is that she will bring in so much money someone will take her on just for the sponsorship and promotion. Yet no one have shown where these big money sponsors are coming from. In a day when top teams with proven winners are having trouble getting and keeping sponsors, the idea that a novelty act will be the hot ticket just seems a bit far-fetched. At some level, performance does count.[/quote]

Motorola, Boost, Go Daddy have been onboard. GM, Ford, Honda, and many others are more than interested. And then there is this small operation called NASCAR. They have run the numbers, and see a fairly large boost in ratings and ticket sales for races that feature Danica.

[/quote]There has been a long pattern shown by Danica and her handlers making repeated claims of opportunities that turned out to be pipe dreams, or just plain fantasy. Over the years, people from Bernie E to Jack Roush and Tony Steward have found themselves forced to make public statements disputing claims from her camp. [/quote]

AGREE!! But I think the economy has had more to do with it than spin. Her original deal went south when GM had issues. Now that TJ has been silenced, a bit, things will play out.

[/quote]As the saying goes, I will believe it when I see it. IMHO, her little gamesmanship to push up the value of her "brand" could backfire. A number of people have suggested that she may not have a chair when the music stops.{/quote]

You will see it soon! She will be one of the top money "earners", and I use the term loosely. I agree she has not really earned it...

[/quote]As for Dale, Jr being a flop, that is just hogwash. There are many in NASCAR who would take his record, even this year. Not only has he won multiple times in Sprint Cup (18), but has been in the top 10 in points 4 times. In Busch he had 22 wins and 2 championships. Not bad for a flop.[/quote]

He has been a major flop with the top team in NASCAR. No chase, one win and lags far behind his other team-mates. Very bad for a Hendrick driver!

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Originally Posted by EagleEye

IMG is leading the charge for her to go to NASCAR. They get paid a percentage of what she makes and the money potential is at least three times or more in NASCAR than in the IRL. Dale Jr. is a total flop in NASCAR, performance wise, yet he remains one of the top (if not the top) in money earned through his "brand".

Performance is not a consideration for IMG, but building the brand and maximizing the cash potential is. She is currently earns more in the IRL than any other driver, yet her performance, as you noted, falls below several others.

It is not a question of if, but when. IMG and NASCAR want her to take the jump next year (the boost in ratings, justifies their pursuit). The ball is firmly in her court and there are several intersting scenarios in place that she could go after.



If she leaves AGR/AG, that would put a huge hole in the budget, and there would be some significant changes in the team structure.

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EE, rational response to my post. I agree with you on the monetary aspect. I had not thought of the dollar ruling the day. Should have since I am in advertising. Must have been early for this cantankerous old man