Big talk from someone who landed a top-tier NASCAR ride due to her skills as a soft-porn TV pitchbabe.
Ido not think so. She was a pretty big name before NASCAR, having been in Indy. I do not remember her doing those ads until after she was well into it.
I think you've exaggerated a bit, but your post does contain some truth.
If no one is watching, if there are no sponsors, if there aren't any ticket and merchandise sales, there is NO NASCAR or any other top tier racing.
Do you have any idea how much a single car costs? How much it costs to send a team from track to track?
If people like or are curious about or just want to hate on a driver, that's valuable. It means people will watch and spend their money.
Check out Danica Patrick's record in racing so far and I think you'll see a dedicated racer working on her craft and raising her game year after year.
She has earned the right to be there and apparently has the skill set and popularity to stay for a while, because, bottom line, for those who hired and who sponsor her, she makes it worth their while.
Fwiw, she's one of the drivers I follow each race and I've seen continuous improvement from during her time in Nationwide and now in Cup.