Poll Position: Danica hype understandable, but is it too much?
CBSSports.com editor Brian De Los Santos, writer Pete Pistone and a chosen member of the community (for a pure fan perspective) share their thoughts on this week's poll question.
Has the media gone overboard in its coverage of Danica Patrick?
PETE PISTONE: We're at the point where it's coming close. I understand the hype around Patrick coming to NASCAR and have stated before I think it's a good thing for the sport of auto racing -- not just NASCAR but IndyCar as well with the added attention and exposure. The media frenzy around Patrick's Daytona stock car debut was warranted. It was a big story for someone who transcends auto racing and appeals to a general sports fan's consciousness. Her impressive sixth-place finish in the ARCA race turned some heads and of course that led to even more attention to Patrick's first official NASCAR start the following week in the Nationwide Series.
But last week in Fontana, there were signs that the situation was finally reaching full overblown status, starting with ESPN's telecast of the Nationwide Series race. It just plain wasn't necessary for viewers to know how the driver who spent most of the race near the back of the field was faring for the bulk of the broadcast. Thankfully, things were better in the second half of the race in terms of the over-Danica-zation situation, but I'd imagine we're in for the same thing this weekend in Las Vegas. The ratings have been higher for events she's competed in pure and simple. Until there is evidence that people don't care about the story, I'd expect to see more all-Danica, all-the-time media coverage, which I think is a mistake.
BRIAN DE LOS SANTOS: As the auto racing production editor here at CBSSports.com, I know a little bit about audience consumption.
No matter what you may believe about her skills as a racecar driver, the fact is, the traffic to stories and features involving Danica Patrick is through the roof. When you see data like that, you tend to want to program that way; satiate the appetite of the public as much as possible. It's good for ratings and traffic and, in turn, advertisers.
And that's why I don't feel the media is going overboard. It's the media version of the law of supply and demand. If people weren't reading the stories or watching the videos and races involving Patrick, then the coverage would be averted elsewhere.
Now, I don't discount that we're close to reaching a boiling point. I know some NASCAR diehards are fed up. Fortunately for them, they're going to get a bit of a respite as this weekend at Las Vegas will mark Patrick's last Nationwide race until June 26 at New Hampshire. Of course, when that date rolls around, the coverage will converge on her once again.
Eventually, the coverage will die down. Not completely, mind you. As long as she's racing, I don't see it ever getting to the point where she's treated like a regular Joe. But if she stays a back-marker, those that tuned in merely to follow her will get bored and move on with their lives. And when that happens, that's when you'll see a shift in coverage.
Coach348: My initial reaction to this question is an absolute yes. But then I have to sit back and really let that soak in a bit.
Danica Patrick has a following that can't be denied. Both with men and women. I also believe Danica brings a whole new intrigue to NASCAR, a sport that needs a shot in the arm right now. With so much of the same ol', same ol' going on, Danica has brought a new awareness to stock car racing -- and the Nationwide Series in particular -- that hasn't been there in quite some time.
This is good for tracks, owners, drivers and, especially, TV and sponsors. With more people watching the Nationwide Series than ever before, sponsors are getting their products seen by more viewers and race fans who come to the track -- which means more money for everybody.
Since the media is linked with these TV ads and sponsors, of course they are going to overhype Danica. To new race fans who are only watching to see Danica race, I understand why the media is showing a car three laps down so much, but to us, regular NASCAR viewers, it's annoying. So to answer the question, YES the media has gone overboard with its coverage of Danica, but if it brings a new generation of race fans to NASCAR, I'm OK with that for now.
