Daytona 500 Qualifying: Danica Patrick Will Fail Miserably at the Daytona 500

The Great American Race not only marks the first race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it also marks the debut of Danica Patrick at the sport's highest level. 

If I had to make a bold prediction right now as to how the fiery driver will do in her first attempt at capturing the checkered flag in Daytona, I would have to say she is going to fall flat on her face.

Don't get me wrong: My gut feeling has nothing to do with her driving ability.

It has everything to do with her attitude.

According to FoxNews.com, Patrick said qualifying at Daytona is a lot easier than at the Indianapolis 500, because there are no guaranteed qualifiers at Indy. 

"Well, honestly it's a lot easier to drive the car here at Daytona," Patrick said. "Since the track has been repaved, it's very straight-forward as a driver. Indianapolis is something that is a little more difficult. I think when Indy had been repaved, it was a little easier. But as tracks weather in, they gain characteristics and they gain bumps and then lose grip."

I don't care whether or not Patrick is an automatic qualifier for Daytona—a nonchalant attitude towards the biggest race in American motorsports will get her beaten badly, or, even worse, hurt.

NASCAR is a different animal that IndyCar.

Yes, IndyCar racing is difficult, and sure the Indianapolis 500 is probably the second-biggest stage in American racing, but to discount qualifying at Daytona is a huge mistake.

I am all for drivers having confidence in their abilities. 

They have to be confident. 

But Patrick needs to understand that qualifying is not like the real thing. 

She is one of the most popular drivers in racing today, but don't think for one minute that NASCAR drivers aren't chomping at the bit to send her the message that this isn't IndyCar racing, and if you aren't careful, your fender will meet the broad side of the wall faster than you can say "Gentleman, start your engines."

Nothing compares to the real thing and I am anxious to see how Patrick fares once the green flag drops. 

Qualifying (especially when you are an automatic qualifier) should be devoid of drama.  It should be a little less worrisome when you know that you are already in the field.

The Daytona 500 is the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup Finals of the stock car world.

It may not have hit her just yet, but it will once Patrick fails miserably on Feb. 26.