Danica makes history, for better or for worse.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

Detroit. By qualifying on the Pole for the Daytona 500 - the first woman driver in the history of NASCAR to do so - Danica Patrick has not only made history, she has put NASCAR back to being front and center on mainstream media radar screens, which is no small feat. How Danica does in the Daytona 500 is anyone's guess, but you can be sure that the powers that be in NASCAR are hoping that she's in contention all the way. And I would bet a few are even hoping against hope that she comes through for the win in NASCAR's most prestigious race.

Why? Judging by the dismal attendance at the "Sprint Unlimited" race last Saturday night at Daytona, the hangover that NASCAR experienced throughout 2012 hasn't abated one bit. Perhaps dismal isn't the word I'm looking for, because it was borderline laughable. As NASCAR continues its downward spiral, it's clear to me that the gimmick events like the "Sprint Unlimited" are not sustainable, presenting sponsor's whims, or not. This event in particular smacks of desperation, as NASCAR attempts to harken back to its glory days - such as they were - enjoyed by the old Budweiser Shootout. Well, it was painfully obvious that it doesn't translate in 2013. And that is a giant bowl of Not Good for NASCAR.

So here we are. NASCAR has a vibrant, authentic, remarkably assured young champion in Brad Keselowski, and it has potentially the biggest sports story of this young year in Danica Patrick. But beyond that they've basically got nothin', because even during the glory years of Jimmie Johnson's incredible championship run and even with Brad Keselowski's stirring championship run of his own at the end of 2012, NASCAR's ratings are still trending downward.

NASCAR marketing mavens are absolutely convinced that their new five-year plan to stir up a diverse crowd of young people to love their sport is a can't-miss proposition. And that's not even a remote possibility. Sure, they may make some inroads here and there, but the results won't be nearly enough to turn the tide.

No, NASCAR has a more desperate, short-term need for redemption, and for lack of a better idea, she's riding a Day-Glo green No. 10 Chevrolet sponsored by Go Daddy.

There's a lot riding on Danica Patrick's young shoulders, even beyond the tremendous pressures already bestowed upon her just because of who she is and what she represents to the sport.

NASCAR's fortunes are now intertwined with hers, for better or for worse.


Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD

(Courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives and Wieck Media)

Daytona Beach, Florida, February 14, 1965. Junior Johnson (No. 27 Junior Johnson Holly Farms Poultry Ford) and Fred Lorenzen (No. 28 Holman-Moody Lafayette Ford) go at it in that year's Daytona 500. Lorenzen would win by one lap over pole-sitter Darel Dieringer (No. 16 Bud Moore Mercury). Bobby Johns (No. 7 Holman-Moody Ford) would finish third. Johnson was classified in 28th position after a crash on Lap 27. Watch a video of the race here.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD