Danica Patrick Crash Tire Test, New Goodyear Product Approved
Danica Patrick crashed her no. 14 Chevrolet when the engine blew during Monday's Goodyear tire test at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) on Monday.
The NASCAR driver had replaced defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart during the day-long test when engine and oil issues caused the crash early into the test session.
Patrick escaped injury and drove the car to the garage area, but the vehicle had significant damage to the front-right side. She did not return during the morning session.
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It was Patrick's second crash in the last three days. On Saturday, the racer driver made contact with Reed Sorenson on lap 39 of the inaugural Nationwide Indiana 205 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where she finished 35th.
Brad Keselowski of Rochester Hills won the NASCAR Nationwide series race.
There were 28 drivers in Brooklyn, Michigan for Monday's tire test as Goodyear strives to bring a new tire compound back for next month's Sprint Cup Series race.
As a result of the record-breaking new speeds and blistered tires, NASCAR and Goodyear decided to go with another tire still qualifying. Even still, some drivers experienced blistered tires during testing on Monday.
The new pavement at the track made for speeds as high as nearly 203 mph during the racing weekend last month, and Goodyear was forced to bring a new left side tire the night before the race in an effort to reduce both speed and potential blistering.
The consensus after Monday's test confirmed that Goodyear's new tires should still be fast, safe, and more reliable for the Aug. 17-19 race weekend at MIS.
Patrick is sponsored by brands such as GoDaddy as well as Coca-Cola and earns vast revenue due to her large fan base.
"The races she's in now in Nationwide, whether in front or in the back, it's still fantastic for us," Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of GoDaddy, was quoted saying by Terry Blount via ESPN.
"I've had people tell me, 'I'm going to start watching NASCAR to see Danica.' She's the one person that America roots for. America loves her," he added.
The next leg of the Sprint Cup series is the Pocono 400 scheduled for Sunday.
Last Sunday, Jimmy Johnson won the Brickyard 400 for the fourth time in his career. The driver has yet to win a race at MIS, though.
The Sprint Cup points leader remains Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is Johnson's teammate with Hendrick Motorsports.
