CONCORD, N.C. — The downsides of dating Danica Patrick?
OK, there actually might be a few if you're a fellow Sprint Cup Series rookie such as Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Despite the Roush Fenway Racing driver's attempts at lobbying his famous girlfriend for help, there's no doubt who will receive more votes in balloting for a wild-card slot in next week's Sprint All-Star Race.
PATRICK: Finds comfort in commercials and car
There are the slightly embarrassing episodes of being cropped out of the photos with your sweetheart that are disseminated through the national media.
And then there's being noticed — or not — while eating out together in public.
"Yeah, people notice her," Stenhouse said with a laugh during an interview Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "It's still funny. People are telling her good luck this weekend, and I'm thinking, 'Thanks, Thanks.' They're not going to tell me good luck. She includes me sometimes. People ask for a picture and she's like, 'Hey come on. Get in this picture.' All in all, it's really fun."
Stenhouse can laugh about his relative anonymity considering he is outperforming Patrick through 10 races of their first full seasons in NASCAR's premier series. Heading into Saturday's Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, he is ranked 16th in the points standings (Patrick is 27th) and still within striking distance of making the Chase for the Sprint Cup, particularly if he can score a breakthrough inaugural victory.
STANDINGS: NASCAR Sprint Cup points
While the two-time Nationwide Series champion is getting comfortable in the No. 17 Ford, he and Patrick also have become more comfortable in public with their high-profile romance.
They recently attended a Chicago Blackhawks playoff game where Patrick participated in a televised shot competition on the ice. They were discovered by ESPN cameras watching the Nationwide race at Richmond International Raceway from the grandstands ("All of a sudden, my phone's blowing up," Stenhouse said. "I thought it was funny, but I was surprised."). They collaborated on a playful YouTube video to promote the All-Star Race.
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