Danica Patrick is a longshot to win at Phoenix this weekend. 
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights - Vegas odds on Patrick winning at Phoenix are 300/1
- There's no correlation between success at Daytona and most other tracks
- Patrick is a rookie with only 11 career Sprint Cup Series races
It's back to reality for Danica Patrick.
After winning the pole position for the Daytona 500 and contending until the final lap, Patrick is expected to look more like the inexperienced rookie she is when battling 42 other drivers this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.
via Darren Rovell:
Vegas is not impressed: Las Vegas Hotel sets Danica at 300/1 to win this weekend, 2nd longest longshot (via @golfodds) That's not a surprise at all to NASCAR fans, but it might be a shock for the new fans who watched NASCAR for the first time during Sunday's Daytona 500.
Here's why: Daytona requires a completely different skill set than every other track in NASCAR except for Talladega. Where drivers run in a big pack and draft at Daytona and Talladega -- because their speeds are restricted -- success at the other tracks depend much more on driver skill.
Patrick, who has only completed 11 Sprint Cup Series races, simply isn't up to speed with the other drivers on most tracks. The November race at Phoenix marked Patrick's best career finish -- 17th -- before Sunday's Daytona 500, when she finished eighth.
Contending at Daytona simply has no correlation to the chances of winning at any other track -- Phoenix included. So for NASCAR newbies who saw Patrick run well in the Daytona 500 and think her momentum might carry over to Phoenix: Think again.
PHOTOS: DANICA'S NASCAR CAREER 
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick (10), the first woman ever to start on a Sprint Cup pole, leads Jeff Gordon (24) to the green flag at the start of the 2013 Daytona 500. Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
By virtue of winning the pole, Danica Patrick got to pick the first pit stall for the 2013 Daytona 500. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick waves to her fans after making NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole. Patrick qualified first for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick poses with the pole winner sign after becoming the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole position on Feb. 17, 2013. Chris Graythen, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick is nothing but smiles as she addresses the media after winning the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick was the eighth driver out on the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. She posted a speed of 196.434 mph, which held up throughout the day. Douglas Jones, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick prepares before heading out onto the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick walks from her hauler to her garage during practice for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2013. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went public with their romantic crelationship in early 2013 after rumors swirled about the fellow Sprint Cup rookies. Chris Graythen, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick applies makeup before a television interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2013. John Raoux, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick gets a hand from her crew as she prepares to take the track for qualifying practice for the 2013 Daytona 500. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick has formed a tight bond with her team owner and fellow competitor Tony Stewart. Davis Turner for USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
In preparation for her first full season as a Sprint Cup driver, Danica Patrick speaks with the press during the NASCAR Media Tour on Jan. 21, 2013. Jeff Siner, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick high-fives fans prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Ross D. Franklin, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick (10) lands on top of Paul Menard during a crash on the final lap of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick behind the wheel during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Patrick would go on to finish a career- and season-best 24th. Jerome Miron, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick takes on tires and fuel during a pit stop at the Nov. 4 AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race. Patrick was one of 25 drivers to finish on the lead lap. Tom Pennington, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick finished 24th at the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4. Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick waves to the fans during driver introductions at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia. By John Harrelson, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick during qualifying for the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug 31, 2012. By Kevin Liles, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick presents the award for Best Team onstage with NBA player Steve Nash at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A on July 11, 2012. By Kevin Winter, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick, driver of the http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/02/26/danica-patrick-nascar-phoenix-daytona-500-2013/1948871/%2310 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sept 30, 2012. By Tom Pennington, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Pat Summitt, left, head coach emeritus of the Tennessee women's basketball team, greets Danica Patrick before the Food City 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Bristol, Tenn. Summitt was the grand marshal of the race. By Mark Humphrey, AP Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick starts her car prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee. By Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![None]()
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports) It's back to reality for Danica Patrick. After winning the pole position for the Daytona 500 and contending until the final lap, Patrick is expected to look more like the inexperienced rookie she is when battling 42 other drivers this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. via Darren Rovell: That's not a surprise at all to NASCAR fans, but it might be a shock for the new fans who watched NASCAR for the first time during Sunday's Daytona 500. Here's why: Daytona requires a completely different skill set than every other track in NASCAR except for Talladega. Where drivers run in a big pack and draft at Daytona and Talladega -- because their speeds are restricted -- success at the other tracks depend much more on driver skill. Patrick, who has only completed 11 Sprint Cup Series races, simply isn't up to speed with the other drivers on most tracks. The November race at Phoenix marked Patrick's best career finish -- 17th -- before Sunday's Daytona 500, when she finished eighth. Contending at Daytona simply has no correlation to the chances of winning at any other track -- Phoenix included. So for NASCAR newbies who saw Patrick run well in the Daytona 500 and think her momentum might carry over to Phoenix: Think again. PHOTOS: DANICA'S NASCAR CAREER Story Highlights
Vegas is not impressed: Las Vegas Hotel sets Danica at 300/1 to win this weekend, 2nd longest longshot (via @golfodds)
