Danica Patrick’s first ARCA stock car test was more of a quiz as the diminutive IndyCAR star turned only four timed laps around the high-banked 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway as rain postponed the start then cancelled the session after only 35 minutes.
Patrick’s appearance was such a novelty that it brought out NASCAR President Mike Helton who said he couldn’t remember when a new driver, at test, drew so much attention.
Only 24 drivers got out in single-car practice and Patrick was 12th fastest with a lap time of 51.095 seconds, averaging 176.142 mph in a Chevrolet on a track with a maximum banking of 31 degrees.
Since her breakout qualifying run at the 2005 Indy 500 she was not fazed by the pressure of this first outing “I trust the guys, she said and referring to her crew chief “I trust Tony Jr. to put a setup under me. I'm definitely glad to have gotten that run in.”
The ARCA cars are very similar to the Nationwide Cars which she will race later in 2010.
“It’s definitely by far the biggest track that I have been on in a stock car since I’ve only ever been on a mile before,” Patrick said. “It was a big difference. The car moves around quite a bit. The car was definitely getting some action in the rear over the bumps. It was getting a little bit loose but I kept my foot in it and tried not chasing it too much with the steering.”
Patrick had raced at Daytona before in a Grand-AM sports car and took part in an IndyCar test in 2007.
Venturini Motorsports, a leading team in the Mid-West-based series took the first three spots with Mikey Kile in a Toyota at 180.708 mph. Third fastest was another woman Alli Owens, at 178.660 mph.
Lost in the Danicamania was the fact that there were at least eight other women on the entry list including the twin nieces of 1990 Daytona 500 winner, Derrike Cope.
Also making his ARCA and stock car debut was India’s Narain Karthikeyan, who only turned two laps and was 18th quick.
Patrick’s limited seat time left her wanting more time to make the transition to the heavy stock cars. “I felt most disoriented with how the heck am I suppose to get my stuff on because I can’t get into the car with all that stuff on,” Patrick said.
“I got to buckle my belts and I can’t do it with my helmet on. So I get in the car and I’ve got to tuck my hair down the back of my suit and I can’t do it because I’m strapped in. I’m just awfully confused. So I decided that I need to put everything on but my helmet and then get in the car. It sounds silly but it’s logistics and logistics that I’m not used to.”
The test is schedule to continue on Saturday and Sunday.
Patrick’s appearance was such a novelty that it brought out NASCAR President Mike Helton who said he couldn’t remember when a new driver, at test, drew so much attention.
Only 24 drivers got out in single-car practice and Patrick was 12th fastest with a lap time of 51.095 seconds, averaging 176.142 mph in a Chevrolet on a track with a maximum banking of 31 degrees.
Since her breakout qualifying run at the 2005 Indy 500 she was not fazed by the pressure of this first outing “I trust the guys, she said and referring to her crew chief “I trust Tony Jr. to put a setup under me. I'm definitely glad to have gotten that run in.”
The ARCA cars are very similar to the Nationwide Cars which she will race later in 2010.
“It’s definitely by far the biggest track that I have been on in a stock car since I’ve only ever been on a mile before,” Patrick said. “It was a big difference. The car moves around quite a bit. The car was definitely getting some action in the rear over the bumps. It was getting a little bit loose but I kept my foot in it and tried not chasing it too much with the steering.”
Patrick had raced at Daytona before in a Grand-AM sports car and took part in an IndyCar test in 2007.
Venturini Motorsports, a leading team in the Mid-West-based series took the first three spots with Mikey Kile in a Toyota at 180.708 mph. Third fastest was another woman Alli Owens, at 178.660 mph.
Lost in the Danicamania was the fact that there were at least eight other women on the entry list including the twin nieces of 1990 Daytona 500 winner, Derrike Cope.
Also making his ARCA and stock car debut was India’s Narain Karthikeyan, who only turned two laps and was 18th quick.
Patrick’s limited seat time left her wanting more time to make the transition to the heavy stock cars. “I felt most disoriented with how the heck am I suppose to get my stuff on because I can’t get into the car with all that stuff on,” Patrick said.
“I got to buckle my belts and I can’t do it with my helmet on. So I get in the car and I’ve got to tuck my hair down the back of my suit and I can’t do it because I’m strapped in. I’m just awfully confused. So I decided that I need to put everything on but my helmet and then get in the car. It sounds silly but it’s logistics and logistics that I’m not used to.”
The test is schedule to continue on Saturday and Sunday.