FenderBumper
The "good old days" ??
MSN Fox.
Danica Patrick's NASCAR media day session Thursday outdrew that of even five-time champ Jimmie Johnson. Yet there's one person observing it all who has never met her — Dave Blaney, her new teammate at Tommy Baldwin Racing.
Blaney stood nearby watching a throng of 20-30 photographers follow Patrick's every move as she paused to shake hands and catch up with other NASCAR drivers. Blaney joked that one day soon, he figures there will be an introduction.
"Nope, never met her,'' Blaney said with a sheepish smile.
"I never ran the Nationwide (Series) races when she was running so just never ran into her.
“No big deal. Who knows? Hopefully, we’ll be around her, needing to use each other drafting come Thursday or Sunday. ''
Although Patrick is employed by Stewart-Haas Racing for a 10-race Sprint Cup debut, the team has formed a "collaborative partnership" with Tommy Baldwin Racing, which will field the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevy for her. The move guarantees Patrick a starting spot in the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 because the car (formerly the No. 36) finished 33rd in owner's points last year.
“I think having her on the team is a good thing for Tommy Baldwin," Blaney said. "He’s trying to put together everything this year to help us in the long run, the big picture, and I think he has.''
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Pretty cool coming from a guy who waorked all last year to make the top 35, only to have his guaranteed spot in the 500 sent over to Danica. It would have been a huge payday for Dave, since starting the 500 earns a minimum $250,000. Now he may not make the race and he's lost his top 35 status when it matters most.
Danica Patrick's NASCAR media day session Thursday outdrew that of even five-time champ Jimmie Johnson. Yet there's one person observing it all who has never met her — Dave Blaney, her new teammate at Tommy Baldwin Racing.
Blaney stood nearby watching a throng of 20-30 photographers follow Patrick's every move as she paused to shake hands and catch up with other NASCAR drivers. Blaney joked that one day soon, he figures there will be an introduction.
"Nope, never met her,'' Blaney said with a sheepish smile.
"I never ran the Nationwide (Series) races when she was running so just never ran into her.
“No big deal. Who knows? Hopefully, we’ll be around her, needing to use each other drafting come Thursday or Sunday. ''
Although Patrick is employed by Stewart-Haas Racing for a 10-race Sprint Cup debut, the team has formed a "collaborative partnership" with Tommy Baldwin Racing, which will field the No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevy for her. The move guarantees Patrick a starting spot in the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 because the car (formerly the No. 36) finished 33rd in owner's points last year.
“I think having her on the team is a good thing for Tommy Baldwin," Blaney said. "He’s trying to put together everything this year to help us in the long run, the big picture, and I think he has.''
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Pretty cool coming from a guy who waorked all last year to make the top 35, only to have his guaranteed spot in the 500 sent over to Danica. It would have been a huge payday for Dave, since starting the 500 earns a minimum $250,000. Now he may not make the race and he's lost his top 35 status when it matters most.
