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Terry Foster: Danica Patrick Could Drive Sprint Cup Popularity

Brooklyn, Mich. -- The NASCAR Sprint Cup series needs Danica Patrick.

And Danica Patrick needs the Sprint Cup series.

She's attractive and feisty. She's a talented driver, but has had limited success in IndyCar and, in the last two years, in part-time duty in the NASCAR Nationwide series.

Patrick has fame, endorsements and popularity. She doesn't even have to win to make an impact.

NASCAR remains the king of racing, but isn't what it used to be. It could use the name and fame of Danica Patrick, even if she's not ready to win as she gets used to NASCAR's dirty on-track secrets and tricks of the trade.

These NASCAR drivers are very talented. The drivers from the Gibbs team seem to run harder and better when controversy strikes. Winner Denny Hamlin admitted he had an average car for three-quarters of the race Sunday but found a way to become the best car after 200 laps. That takes talent on his part and crew brain power.

But this isn't about talent. This is about filling stands and increasing television ratings. Patrick can become the sport's Tiger Woods.

It might happen as soon as next season. Patrick has run five Nationwide races this season, but NASCAR needs her full-time — for Sprint Cup and Nationwide.

The irony is that NASCAR is working very hard to make their events more fan-friendly than ever, but something is missing. Somebody stole about 50,000 race fans.

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