Danica Patrick made a big announcement this week on national television. But the only people affected were Indy Racing League officials and those in need of winter clothing.

Patrick's much heralded "news" conference unveiled her new color scheme for the IRL ride she'll pilot for Michael Andretti's team the next three years and her admirable plans to steer a coat drive for those in need this holiday season.  As for any NASCAR initiatives, as usual Ms. Patrick played it coy.

"I understand the level of curiosity on the NASCAR side of things, so I do understand that," Patrick said during a national media teleconference.

"But the primary focus of Monday was to announce our IndyCar program and our new sponsorship with Go Daddy. It's important that everyone was focusing on that and not things that aren't true."  But Patrick of course left the door open about the chance of adding a stock car career to her resume.

"As I said, I've made no mystery that I'm curious about NASCAR and I would like to do it," she said. "As a driver if I had the chance to be able to run in both series and try it and challenge myself, I would like to do that."  And so the song and dance continued, much to the chagrin of a large faction of NASCAR Nation.

Patrick's continual flirtation and non-commitment about a potential NASCAR program has worn thin with many inside the NASCAR community. In fact, it's built resentment with thousands of fans that have grown tired of the "Will She or Won't She" story.

When Patrick finally does make her plans clear, which will most likely happen after this weekend's NASCAR Awards Banquet ceremonies in Las Vegas and joins JR Motorsports for a 10-12 race Nationwide Series program in 2010, she will have a serious public relations issue to overcome right out of the box.

She'll have to win over a significant group of fans that feel she doesn't warrant the privilege of running in NASCAR over other more qualified stock car drivers who have paid their dues in the sport but cannot find a competitive ride.

But while Patrick may not possess the stock car experience of others currently looking for work in the NASCAR garage, you can't argue with her star power and marketing abilities. She'll bring a giant spotlight with her to NASCAR as well as thousands of curious fans and most likely millions of sponsorship dollars. That may very well be even more important than her lack of time in a stock car during a time when NASCAR could use a boost in the exposure department.

However, Patrick hasn't done herself any favors with the long drawn out process of telling the world what her NASCAR plans will be.  The sooner she does that and straps herself into a stock car to learn the trade, the better.  Then the dog and pony show can end and Patrick will have her chance to show the world she's capable of competing in NASCAR racing.