For Patrick, 'crash-fest' debut may be more difficult

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Understandably, she doesn't want to get in the way. She's come to Daytona International Speedway to learn, to ease herself into a new discipline, and not to get involved in anything controversial. More than a dozen Cup regulars are likely to take part in Saturday's Nationwide Series opener at the 2.5-mile race track, and the last thing Danica Patrick wants to become is a rolling road block.

"It's been recommended that it's not the best idea to start there," she said. "I'm not going to ignore people who are giving me advice."

Impressive start

For a brief moment, Danica was on the pole for the Daytona ARCA race. When all was said and done, she qualified 12th.

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And yet, a decision on when exactly the IndyCar starlet will make her initial NASCAR foray still waits, likely until Monday, after she takes part in Saturday's ARCA event on the big speedway. That verdict won't necessarily be based solely on results -- Patrick is looking for a certain feeling, a sign that she can compete, and whether that means finishing in the top 10 or making up 20 positions during the course of the event, she still isn't sure. No question, a place high on the scoring pylon would be nice. But the final call on whether she makes her Nationwide debut at Daytona, or waits until an already-scheduled start Feb. 20 at Auto Club Speedway, will probably hinge on less tangible elements.

"If I don't finish up front, and I came through the day and felt good about the things I've learned, that might be enough," she said. "I think at the end of the day it would be nice to have a good result, but it's probably going to be more off the feeling that I have, and how many little mistakes I made, and how comfortable I am with the different situations."

Patrick has been exceedingly careful and cautious about her stock-car adventure to this point, showing every sign of wanting to do things the right way. She's not making the mistake of trying to jump straight into the Cup Series, as several other, ultimately unsuccessful, open-wheel expatriates have done. She's not committing to a full season, splitting this year between her Nationwide and IndyCar vehicles. She treads very softy around the idea of expectations, knowing full well that for every person who wants to see her succeed, there is another who wants her to fail. In her appearances thus far she's been nothing short of charming and deferential, emphasizing that she's trying NASCAR because it looks like fun, and that she isn't here to steal attention from anyone else.

The coyness over the Daytona Nationwide race -- now named for a new program to combat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which Patrick, who lost her grandmother to the disease, is a spokesperson for -- is certainly part of that approach. Although the official entry list for the event hasn't yet been released, last year 15 Cup regulars took part, and next Saturday Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart are among those already scheduled to compete. Is that too much too soon? That's what Patrick and her JR Motorsports team are trying to figure out. (Continued)