INDIANAPOLIS —
With the Daytona 500 less than a month away, one of the big unknowns is will Danica Patrick have to race her way into the starting field or will car owner Tony Stewart buy her way in?
Every season, for the first five races of the Sprint Cup schedule, teams that finished in the top 35 in points for the previous year are locked into the starting field.
What that means is that only seven drivers can earn a spot in the Daytona 500 through qualifying or racing their way in through the 125-lap qualifying races. The 43rd spot is reserved for a former champion who hasn’t made the starting field.
Since Patrick is driving for a new team being fielded by Stewart-Haas racing, it has no points entering Daytona.
But it appears that Stewart is going to buy Patrick’s way into the Daytona 500. Reports are that Stewart is talking with Tommy Baldwin Racing about transferring the points from the 36 car that finished the 2011 season inside the golden 35 in points.
In exchange, Stewart will assist Baldwin Racing in helping the team compete in the 26 races Patrick isn’t racing in the Sprint Cup season for David Reutimann to drive.
Michael Waltrip Racing is trying to cut a deal with the now defunct Red Bull team to secure a starting position for Mark Martin. The Red Bull cars finished 14th and 25th in the 2011 point standings.
None of this illegal according to NASCAR rules, but it sure takes away some fan interest in qualifying and the two qualifying races leading up to the Daytona 500.
Locking in 35 teams before a wheel is turned in a competitive atmosphere seems a bit much. The number of teams locked in should be 20, which would allow more than half of the starting field in the first five races of the year to race their way onto the starting grid.
It would be like the NFL or Major League Baseball declaring that the two teams in the Super Bowl and the World Series are automatically locked into the playoffs.
I have to admit it would have been interesting to watch and see if Patrick could have earned a spot in the starting grid for the Daytona 500 instead of receiving a free pass.
There really was no surprise when Patrick announced on Monday that she would not be competing in the Indianapolis 500 in May, opting instead to compete at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600. There were even hints that Patrick might try to run both races in one day.
Please, Danica, stay away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until July 29 when NASCAR brings its road show to Indianapolis.
Will Patrick be missed at the Indianapolis 500?
Undoubtedly.
Love her or hate her, she sparked fan interest in the event.
Maybe one of the three women who probably will be competing at the Indianapolis 500 — Katherine Legge, Pippa Mann or Simona DeSilvestro — can appear in a sports magazine’s annual swimsuit issue to attract attention. Or maybe they can go out and be competitive on all the tracks hosting the IZOD IndyCar series.
Sports Columns
Related Photos
-
Contact Ken de la Bastide: 454-8580, ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Discussion
Ken de la Bastide: Stewart could aid Danica
- Sports Columns
-
-
George Bremer: In with Orton, out of Luck?
There really is no offseason anymore in the National Football League.
The Indianapolis Colts haven’t played a game since Jan. 1, but look at all the headlines they’ve generated since that date. -
Quintin Harlan: If you want to honor a fallen driver just keep on racing
There are a myriad of reasons to love the Indianapolis 500. This year’s race was inundated with the emotion from the family, friends and colleagues of two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon.
-
Rick Teverbaugh: Spectacle lacking on local TV
The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, on television, is a myth in its own backyard.
-
Rick Bramwell: Enjoying the fruits of spring
I will go a long way to get fresh fruits and vegetables. That usually means going to the source.
Last Friday was opening day at the strawberry patch located just west of Post Road on 38th Street. They have a big sign outside. Only a few berries were ripe, but those first ripe ones are big and juicy. -
Ken de la Bastide: Race fans set for big weekend
As a racing fan, this week in May is always at the top of my list with the running of both the Indianapolis 500 and the Pay Less Little 500 on the same weekend.
The Indianapolis 500 has long been considered “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and I would contend the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway is the “Greatest Spectacle in Short Track Racing.” -
George Bremer: Can Lind find swing in Vegas?
This was supposed to be a big week for former Highland star Adam Lind. Instead, he’s in Las Vegas trying to get his head back in the game after being shipped back to the minor leagues for the first time in four years.
-
Quintin Harlan: Series evened up, why should Pacers worry?
Before the semifinal round of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Playoffs began, the term “house money” was being thrown about by us here in The Herald Bulletin sports department to describe the chances of the Indiana Pacers against the Miami Heat.
-
Rick Bramwell: Can anything not be learned online?
In the early 1940s there was an article in Popular Mechanics about the future of television. My grandfather told my dad and uncle not to get excited: “You boys know they can’t send a picture through the air.”
-
Ken de la Bastide: Will Indy 500 field 33 cars?
Pole Day this Saturday for the Indianapolis 500 will be unlike any other in recent years with plenty of unanswered questions.
Will there be 33 cars fielded for the “500”? Will drivers have to bump their way into the starting field on Sunday? -
Quintin Harlan: Farewell Coach Carter
Three years ago I received an email from Ross Buckman — a former mathmateics teacher that was subjected to having me as a student at Anderson High — telling me that he knew a gentleman that would be a great subject for a feature story.
- More Sports Columns Headlines
-
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
