Danica Patrick & Walt Disneyworld Speedway

Badger Brent

Badger Brent

Active Member
Original Poster
Was listed on Dale Earnhardt Jrs facebook page that Danica practiced her Grand National car at the speedway. Good to see the track used for some practice.
 
Mr Bill

Mr Bill

Well-Known Member
I was kind of surprised to see that since teams don't normally use WDW for testing. If they're in Florida they're usually at New Smyrna or USA International Speedway. I'm not sure why they chose to do this at Disney, but I'd love to find out.
 
JimboJones123

JimboJones123

Well-Known Member
Mr Bill said:
I was kind of surprised to see that since teams don't normally use WDW for testing. If they're in Florida they're usually at New Smyrna or USA International Speedway. I'm not sure why they chose to do this at Disney, but I'd love to find out.
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I am sure Disney chose them instead.
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Thats sweet. I know the WDW Speedway & the Richard Petty Driving Experience was looking to increase awareness and activity at the track. Attracting some drivers to make appearances certainly drums up interest for race fans.
 
Mr Bill

Mr Bill

Well-Known Member
The track length is appropriate for NASCAR, but the facilities aren't appropriate for an Cup series event. If WDW were to hold any motorsports events in the future, I think they'd be better off starting from scratch and not in a parking lot.
 
Chevross

Chevross

Active Member
_Scar said:
I sure hope this was Jr.'s page.... else this may be a bit spooy.


:lookaroun
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Also heard Elvis is thinking about doing a charity event at the speedway too.

I'm just joking, I'm sure the OP meant Jr. This is interesting though. I saw a picture from somewhere, and was so happy to see the track get some attention. However, I am no fan of Danica Patrick, so the good comes with the bad I guess. :lol:
 
krankenstein

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
JimboJones123 said:
I am sure Disney chose them instead.
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Doesn't work like that.

ChrisFL said:
I'm no expert but I think the track is kinda small for NASCAR/Indy standards, so that may be part of it.
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No, the track is appropriate for NASCAR and IRL sanctioned events and both have ran at the track previously.

IRL held the Indy 200 from 1996 - 2000 at the facility and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series held the Chevy Trucks Challenge, its season opener, at the track in 1997 and 1998.
 
JimboJones123

JimboJones123

Well-Known Member
krankenstein said:
Doesn't work like that.



No, the track is appropriate for NASCAR and IRL sanctioned events and both have ran at the track previously.

IRL held the Indy 200 from 1996 - 2000 at the facility and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series held the Chevy Trucks Challenge, its season opener, at the track in 1997 and 1998.
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It works like that if they wanted to promote the track.
 
krankenstein

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
JimboJones123 said:
It works like that if they wanted to promote the track.
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No, it doesn't. They went their to test, not because Disney wanted them to. She has to have a certain amount of track time in the stock cars before NASCAR will allow her to drive in a race. That said, because of the testing ban, they are not allowed to test at any track the series actually races at. They also have to contend with other tracks being booked and finding a track that has decent weather this time of the year. Lastly, they want to be discreet. A track that hasn't seen major action in the last 9 years and is mostly overlooked by the racing community fits the bill. Remember, her move to NASCAR is a big deal in the racing world.

If Disney wanted to promote this, they would've have had a big press release and photo op. Since they had neither, it is safe to say Disney didn't ask her to come. When JR Motorsports called and asked if they could rent the track, Disney and JR Motorsports agreed on a fee. End of story.
 
JimboJones123

JimboJones123

Well-Known Member
krankenstein said:
Doesn't work like that.



No, the track is appropriate for NASCAR and IRL sanctioned events and both have ran at the track previously.

IRL held the Indy 200 from 1996 - 2000 at the facility and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series held the Chevy Trucks Challenge, its season opener, at the track in 1997 and 1998.
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krankenstein said:
No, it doesn't. They went their to test, not because Disney wanted them to. She has to have a certain amount of track time in the stock cars before NASCAR will allow her to drive in a race. That said, because of the testing ban, they are not allowed to test at any track the series actually races at. They also have to contend with other tracks being booked and finding a track that has decent weather this time of the year. Lastly, they want to be discreet. A track that hasn't seen major action in the last 9 years and is mostly overlooked by the racing community fits the bill. Remember, her move to NASCAR is a big deal in the racing world.

If Disney wanted to promote this, they would've have had a big press release and photo op. Since they had neither, it is safe to say Disney didn't ask her to come. When JR Motorsports called and asked if they could rent the track, Disney and JR Motorsports agreed on a fee. End of story.
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End of whatever you want to believe.
 
krankenstein

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
JimboJones123 said:
End of whatever you want to believe.
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Well, that's a well thought out response. :rolleyes:

BTW, you have not articulated your rationale for your belief well at all. How about some rationale to back it up? How about you speak about something that shows some understanding of how the NASCAR world works or promoting something works? I mean in marketing, I was taught that if you wish to promote something you have to actually let people know about it. The leaked pictures came from Dale Earnhardt Jr Facebook page. Nothing that has any ties with Disney.
 
artvandelay

artvandelay

Well-Known Member
krankenstein said:
No, it doesn't. They went their to test, not because Disney wanted them to. She has to have a certain amount of track time in the stock cars before NASCAR will allow her to drive in a race. That said, because of the testing ban, they are not allowed to test at any track the series actually races at. They also have to contend with other tracks being booked and finding a track that has decent weather this time of the year. Lastly, they want to be discreet. A track that hasn't seen major action in the last 9 years and is mostly overlooked by the racing community fits the bill. Remember, her move to NASCAR is a big deal in the racing world.

If Disney wanted to promote this, they would've have had a big press release and photo op. Since they had neither, it is safe to say Disney didn't ask her to come. When JR Motorsports called and asked if they could rent the track, Disney and JR Motorsports agreed on a fee. End of story.
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I concur.

Does anyone know if she was testing her Nationwide car or her ARCA car? I think she has sanctioned ARCA testing at Daytona on Friday. Maybe she needed some seat time in an ARCA car to get ready for Friday?
 
krankenstein

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
artvandelay said:
I concur.

Does anyone know if she was testing her Nationwide car or her ARCA car? I think she has sanctioned ARCA testing at Daytona on Friday. Maybe she needed some seat time in an ARCA car to get ready for Friday?
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It's a bad picture, but it looks like Brad Keselowski's car from last year right down to the number.

15947_203500287421_85431167421_3032.jpg


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3032968&id=85431167421&fbid=203500287421
 

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