I received several e-mails from friends this morning with similar themes – 2010 will be the year of the estrogen invasion in stock car racing!  And, while I certainly enjoyed watching the successful debut of Danica Patrick yesterday in the ARCA season opener (until the latter stages of the race, Alli Owens impressed as well), I have but one thought for my bandwagon friends. 

One race does not a season make!

Let’s keep this in perspective.  First of all, Danica proved she can handle the stock car – at least among racing’s minor leaguers.  Simply watch the difference in driver skill between the ARCA Slick Mist 200 in the afternoon and NASCAR’s Budweiser Shootout in the evening and you can’t even draw a comparison.  For instance, one more coat of paint on Tony Stewart’s car and his lap 20 (or there about) move between Kahne and McMurray is a wreck, not a highlight.  And side drafting – lots more to learn #7.

Danica’s stock car education may be accelerated should she choose to run in the Nationwide race next Saturday in Daytona.  She’ll make that announcement tomorrow.  At the very least, we’ll see her compete against the better drivers (including several of the Cup boys) on the 20^th of this month at California. 

Please understand I’m not trying to bash Ms. Patrick.  I think she will be fantastic for the sport of stock car racing.  I just think we need to keep her early success in perspective.  It was great to see her do well yesterday.  I’ll truly be impressed if she can back that up with an equal finish against better competition.