2012 Daytona 500: Impact Danica Patrick Can Have on NASCAR If She Wins Daytona

I know there’s a lot of haters out there that dog on Danica Patrick, but let's face reality here, she’s an extremely good race car driver and the best female driver we’ve ever seen.

Her credentials don’t lie either.

She may have only one career IZOD IndyCar Series win during her tenure in the series, but any driver other than a Team Penske or Target Chip Ganassi Racing racer didn’t have much luck getting in the winner’s circle either.

For those of you that dogged her at Indy for saying her qualifying lap wasn’t her fault, guess what?

It wasn’t.

She’s one of the best drivers to master the tough Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’m not going to say she should be mentioned with the all-time greats, but she’s not far behind.

It’s hard enough to endure the g-forces and speeds for 500 miles, but when she’s finished outside the top ten only once in seven tries, including two top-five finishes, then she must be legit.

I think she will be a serious threat to win the Daytona 500 this year.

She’s in top-notch equipment with Stewart-Haas Racing and has great drafting help with Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman.

Patrick led some laps last year in both Nationwide Series races at Daytona and was a real threat to win the Subway Jalapeno 250 in July, but was caught up in a last-lap wreck. Patrick and new team owner Tony Stewart drafted great together last year in both races.

I don't see that changing this time around in the Daytona 500. She's guaranteed a starting spot, thanks to Tommy Baldwin Racing, and I think her and Stewart will hook up once again.

She's already proven to have mastered the art of drafting, and has proven she can be patient enough to hang around and contend in a 500-mile race.

That's one of the biggest keys to win at Daytona.

Drivers get themselves in trouble by trying to be too racey too early. I think she will surely be patient enough to hang around until the end.

Another thing why I think she has a legit shot is the impact she would have on the sport if she does win.

All the drivers in the garage know this.

Even the car owners want her to succeed as well.

Think of the impact the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series seasons would have if Danica won the Daytona 500 to kick off the year.

Think how many more sponsors would come aboard other cars just for the exposure Danica would bring them on race weekends.

Think how many more people would fill the stands just to see what Danica can do.

It may be 50/50 on cheers to boos, but at least there's butts in the seats.

After all, isn't that what NASCAR wants the most?

They need more sponsorship money as big corporate sponsors are leaving the sport due to the economy. Attendance is improving, but it's still down from what it could be.

If Danica wins Feb. 26, I don't think NASCAR will have any problem putting people in the seats or gaining sponsorship exposure.

The driver pushing Danica over the finish line will get just as much exposure for their car as the videos and pictures of Patrick taking the checkered flag will be all over the place.

With Daytona being a restrictor-plate track, there will surely be a car right in tow behind her in the photos.

NASCAR knows this, and I think Danica's best chance to win the 500 will be this year.

She's more than capable of doing so, and I think the impact could be the biggest the sport has seen.