Ed Reinke / AP

If Danica Patrick should join the NASCAR circuit, it would boost the sport's image greatly, writes MSNBC.com's Mike Celizic.

Given that Latinos are America’s most numerous minority, that’s got to be good. But even better would be a female, especially considering that more than half the population claims that gender.

Patrick isn’t the only up-and-coming female driver, but she is the one everyone knows about, thanks to her Indy performance last year. If she doesn’t join NASCAR, though, another woman will, and she’ll be kicking herself forever for not making the jump now, when she can have the track to herself.

Like Michelle Wie, who has gotten rich and famous by challenging the guys at golf, Patrick hasn’t actually won an event. But if you asked fellow professionals in the respective sports which one of the two is more likely to beat the guys, I’m pretty sure Patrick would be the hands-down favorite.

Driving, unlike golf, doesn’t rely on strength. In fact, NASCAR machines are easier to drive than Indy cars because stock cars have power steering and Indy cars don’t. So whatever slim advantage strength gives a driver is cancelled. (Steering isn’t an issue at high speeds, when a twitch of the wheel will send you places you never dreamed existed and never hoped you’d visit. The power assist comes in handy when wrestling the metal monsters around the pits.) Patrick is very good at what she does. She was the Indy circuit’s rookie of the year last year and she became a household name in the process. Put her in the right equipment with the right team behind her, and she will win.

She can do it in Indy cars on a circuit that continues to lose luster and fans. Or she can do it in the cars that fuel the passions of a big chunk of the country, the cars that are powered by big-block V-8s and are so deeply rooted in the American psyche.

Daddy Patrick says to go with the stock cars, to drive the NASCAR circuit.

In this case, there’s no question about it. Father knows best.