Keselowski slams Danica on Twitter

NASCAR officials strive to maintain a family appeal. The television and radio commercials are folksy, race-day announcers continually stress positive news, and pre-race shows are full of patriotic singers and conservative politicians.

It’s no wonder some NASCAR followers, and at least one prominent driver, have mixed emotions about the branding of Danica Patrick.

Yes, Patrick is talented and she has the crossover appeal that the sport badly needs.

But her sexually suggestive advertising campaigns are downright crass, especially when contrasted to the wholesome images driven home in other NASCAR commercials.

In a Twitter post on Thursday, Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski created a stir by suggesting that Patrick’s “branding techniques only serves to undermine the future credibility of female races who wish to make it based on skill, mental toughness and a never give up attitude."

Several female athletes have outwardly expressed support for Patrick in her Don Quixote- like effort to diversify stock car racing.

But inwardly, they must cringe when they see ads depicting Patrick appearing in a skimpy swimsuit while beer-drinking men gape, point and moan.

Taking into account the massive buildup for Patrick, Keselowski went to say that Patrick has created “a Pandora’s box" for all female racers.

“ If she doesn’t succeed, no female will get the chance for years to come," Keselowski said.

Amazing, some media types scolded Keselowski for daring to express his views.

To this reporter, the honesty of Keselowski was refreshing. Such guts to go against the party-line is sorely missing on network telecasts of NASCAR races.

Whether it involves the NASCAR family or not, the marketing of Danica Patrick is demeaning to females and insulting to traditional fans and aspiring female racers. TriCities.com