Danica Patrick’s 2012 season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series has included plenty of firsts. The next “first” on the list in her first full season on the tour is her maiden voyage at Talladega Superspeedway.
Patrick’s zeal for trying new things will be put to the test in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 (ABC, 3 p.m. ET) at the Alabama venue. While Patrick has already developed a feel for stock cars at similar Daytona International Speedway — where she won the pole position for the series’ season opener — she’s bracing for what promises to be a wild event.
During a kickoff announcement for the Nationwide Series’ Dash 4 Cash bonus program last weekend, Patrick hinted that she was in store for a different experience than what she had at Daytona. Still, she wanted confirmation from series points leader Elliott Sadler that the track was indeed wider.
“Oh yeah,” Sadler replied, “Everybody feels way braver.”
“So, instead of four wide without being able to see, it’ll be five wide?” Patrick asked. When Sadler indicated that was the case, Patrick replied with sarcasm in hand: “Great. That’s great.”
While Patrick tries to gain more stock-car seat time, Sadler will look to extend his points lead over defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Only two points separate Sadler and Stenhouse, the only two-time winner in the series this season.
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