NASCAR begging sponsors to fund rides for Bubba and Danica

Danica Patrick blows her engine in the 2014 Daytona 500

Word in the paddock is that NASCAR is helping to land rides for drivers Bubba Wallace and Danica Patrick. Faced with the loss of several high profile drivers recently, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the end of the season, and plummeting TV ratings, the sanctioning body is trying to salvage rides for Patrick and Wallace because of the size of their fan base.

If they lose, Wallace, Patrick and Earnhardt Jr. at the end of this season, TV ratings might see a 50% drop in one season – a financial disaster for the entire series.

NASCAR is even trying to persuade (read that twist their arm until it hurts) series sponsors to extend their sponsorship to Wallace and Patrick. NASCAR is also begging teams to put Patrick in one of their cars if they are able to find the sponsorship knowing that she is not capable of running up front.

Suffice it to say that even if NASCAR is able to string together enough sponsorship for Wallace and Patrick, it won't be enough for a winning ride. Running out the back does zero to grow their fan base or the series, but NASCAR is stuck between and rock and a hard place and has to do try something.