Danica Patrick: 5 Bold Predictions for 2012 If She Comes to NASCAR Full Time

As unarguably the most popular and recognizable non-NASCAR driver in the country, Danica Patrick seems to have reached the peak of her fame in the Indy Racing League. Although she never won the big one in the Indy 500, she has garnered her share of hardware, winning IRL Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the Japan 300 in 2008.

With that said, if Danica is ever to reach another level of fame, a move to NASCAR is absolutely essential. Without an IRL contract in place for the 2012 season, that move is beginning to look more and more likely. In fact, Danica has made some incredible strides in her second partial season with JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series.

Although the 2010 season was a learning curve for Danica in many ways with regards to NASCAR, 2011 has been much kinder. In six races this season, Danica has registered three top-10 finishes. This includes fourth-place finish at Las Vegas and a 10th-place finish two weeks ago at Daytona.

While it may be obvious that Danica still has plenty to learn when it comes to stock car racing, she seems ready to race a full-time schedule on the Nationwide Series next year. Not only will she have the best sponsors and equipment possible, but she’ll also have veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart to confide in.

Here are five bold predictions should Danica make the full-time jump to NASCAR in 2012.

Danica Will Outshine the Sprint Cup Regulars

The NASCAR Nationwide Series is supposed to be a proving ground for young drivers looking to move up to the Sprint Cup Series in the near future. What inevitably happens, however, is the Sprint Cup drivers overshadow the Nationwide regulars in Nationwide events.

Although, NASCAR has tried to diminish the importance of Sprint Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series by not allowing them to race for points, it’s obvious that they’re still needed.

If not for drivers like Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards racing on the Nationwide circuit on a weekly basis, the series would get awful ratings. Whether some NASCAR fans want to admit it or not, they want to see established stars, not guys they have barely heard of.

If Danica makes the full-time jump, though, she’ll be the talk of the Nationwide Series. No longer will people tune in simply to see their favorite Sprint Cup drivers, rather they’ll want to see how Danica fares. In that regard Danica will be great for the development of the Nationwide Series.

Danica Will Cause Nationwide Ratings to Rise

In general, Nationwide Series races get lukewarm television ratings. Perhaps it’s because of overkill or the fact that the field is littered with unknowns, but it’s clear that the series could use a shot in the arm.

Danica Patrick may be just the person to do it. While there may be no direct evidence that ratings rise when she races, there is reason to believe that she can take the Nationwide Series to a new level.

Last year’s season-opening Nationwide race at Daytona garnered the biggest viewing audience in the circuit’s history on cable. The race earned a 3.2 household rating, and it just so happened to feature Danica in her first NASCAR race.

Those types of ratings bumps haven’t been as evident this season, but a full-time move to NASCAR would change that. With Danica competing on a weekly basis and racing for points, there will be much more intrigue surrounding the Nationwide Series.

Danica Will Win at Least One Race

This is more a hunch than anything, but Danica seems to be improving at such a good rate that she should be able to steal at least one win in 34 races next season. Only three non-Sprint Cup drivers have wins this season (Reed Sorenson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Justin Allgaier), which suggests Danica may have a difficult time earning a trip to victory lane next season.

When you consider the type of backing Danica will have next season, however, she is likely to be among the best Nationwide regulars.

Danica won’t be desperate to win races like the Sprint Cup regulars since she’ll be racing for points, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be trying. More often than not, consistent racing leads to winning. If Danica can stay on the track and finish around the top 10 on a regular basis, she’ll eventually put herself in a position to win.

When you consider that she has run outside the top 17 just once in six races this season, it’s likely that she’ll be in the conversation every week next year.

Danica Will Finish in the Top 5 in Points

With NASCAR’s mandate this season that drivers could only race for points in one series, there have been some major changes in the Nationwide Series standings.

While it’s nice to see some fresh faces competing for a championship, it’s also clear that the series is full of Sprint Cup rejects. Drivers like Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler, Aric Almirola and others who couldn’t cut it against the big boys are top contenders in the Nationwide Series.

Although it’s difficult to measure, I doubt Danica Patrick is much less talented than any of them. When you add in the fact that she’ll be receiving more financial backing than probably any other driver, there’s no reason to believe she won’t finish in the top five next season.

She’s actually 25th in points this season and she has only run in six races. Natural progression suggests that she should skyrocket up the charts.

Leffler, the current fifth-place driver, has no wins, two top fives and eight top-10's at the midway point of the season. If Danica is even average next season, she should be in the conversation for the championship.

Danica Will Race Well Enough to Earn a Sprint Cup Ride in 2013

Danica Patrick’s ultimate goal may be to join the Sprint Cup Series, but before she does that, it’s only fair that she masters her craft in the Nationwide Series first.

Her good looks and marketability alone will make her extremely attractive to many Sprint Cup teams looking to expand, but Danica has to prove that she’s capable of putting a quality season together in stock car racing.

As the crown jewel of all the exclusive Nationwide drivers, Danica will be in the perfect position to succeed next season. Although there isn’t anything they can really do about it, it’s obvious that the NASCAR brass would like to see her perform well too. Provided she doesn’t fall flat, there really isn’t anything stopping Danica from becoming a Sprint Cup regular in 2013.

Stewart-Haas Racing, owned by her good friend Tony Stewart, is looking to expand and Danica would seem like an ideal fit. In all likelihood, Danica will be one and done when it comes to the Nationwide Series.