Danica's success drives business to one Salisbury shop | Business

SALISBURY - The most popular driver in NASCAR right now has never won a NASCAR race, even so, she's driving success for one shop in Salisbury.

Danica Patrick is on the pole for this Sunday's Daytona 500, the kick off to the new NASCAR season. And while she's hot on the track, she's also the hottest thing when it comes to souvenir and memorabilia sales, causing a business boom for at least one local store owner.

At Victory Lane Collectibles on E. Innes Street you'll find all things Danica, including die cast cars, bumper stickers, hats, pictures, and much more.

"Oh, it's been absolutely fantastic this week," said Ed Yancey, owner of VLC.  "The only call I've gotten from fans is have I got the new Danica Patrick car.  They're not asking about Dale Jr's car, or Jimmie Johnson's car, or Jeff Gordon's car, it's 'have you got the new Danica Patrick car?'  She's always been one of the best sellers since she came onto the NASCAR scene."

Patrick means profit, and while she may still be looking for her first NASCAR checkered flag, the young driver has already won the hearts of merchandise dealers.

She's everywhere, every item big enough for a name and picture features Danica Patrick. She was already popular, but her Daytona pole has put her among the elite when it comes to souvenir sales.

"She is a merchandiser, marketer's dream," said Yancey.  "She's just a dream for whoever wants to market her items, she's just a big name that's going to continue to sell and sell and sell and sell."

And she's running for Rookie of the Year, so fans will see a lot more of her all over the country at all of the NASCAR tracks, and her new boyfriend is driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and he is also competing to be NASCAR's Rookie of the Year.