Danica Patrick to stay with IRL team

[6 Shooter]

The Associated Press
Friday, Sep. 25, 2009​

MOTEGI, Japan Danica Patrick agreed to a three-year contract to remain at Andretti Green Racing and stay in the IndyCar Series, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star.

Patrick, the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in last year's Indy Japan, is finishing her fifth season in the IndyCar series and is fifth in points. She's been rumored to be considering a move to NASCAR and still could compete in a limited number of races.

Jeff Belskus, the president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said the 27-year-old driver is important to the future of the series.

"I know she has said winning the Indianapolis 500 is important to her and that it's a lifelong dream to win that race," Belskus said at the Indy Japan 300.

Patrick finished sixth at this year's Indy Japan, which was won by Scott Dixon.

NASCAR star Tony Stewart said this month that he has no doubts that Patrick will eventually make the jump to stock cars. They've talked frequently about what it would take for Patrick to go form open-wheel racing to the heavier cars.

"I just know that she's excited about this and making this change," Stewart said before a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "I can pretty much guarantee at some point she's going to be over here."

Stewart made the same jump himself more than a decade ago, leaving the IRL for a more lucrative deal in NASCAR. He's become something on a mentor to Patrick, who visited his racing shop and talked with him at sponsor appearances.

"She's looked me straight in the eye and said, 'Hey, this is what I want to do. It looks like fun. It looks like a lot of work, but it looks like fun,'" Stewart said.

Stewart told reporters at last week's Sprint Cup race in New Hampshire that he has "not made an offer" to Patrick for a deal with Stewart-Haas Racing.

Article

 

[Hib Halverson]

Whether not Ms. Patrick really does do some Cup or Nationwide races is, in my opinion, still up for discussion.

One thing Patrick is is focused. I'd think that trying to learn big heavy sedans on teeny-tiny tires with no ground effects would be a learning curve that'd distract her from what she really wants right now, which are two things: 1) Win Indy and 2) place higher in IRL ponts. Personally, I'd like to see here do another three years in IRL and focus on those goals and then try NASCAR.

On the other hand, if Danica did make a run at Cup, what better team to do it than Stewart/Haas. She'll be in good equipment. She'll be running for a frontline team in Chevrolets. She'll have her mentor right there to help.

Stewart and Patrick are like two peas in a pod as far as their competiveness and focus in racing. I've always said that Danica Patrick is Tony Stewart with long hair and tits.

 

[jrose7004]

I've never been happier with news that Danica is going to stay out of NASCAR!

 

[F4Gary]

The only race she ever won was because of her crew chiefs gas decision. She qualifies 6 or 7th and then fades to 10th to 12th. I have a lot more respect for Sarah Fisher than I do Patrick.

 

[Glensgages]

"..... survey-sez....."

The only race she ever won was because of her crew chiefs gas decision. She qualifies 6 or 7th and then fades to 10th to 12th..

"..... NUMBER-ONE ANSWER on the board, darlin'!!!!!"

 

[jrose7004]

Heck, I respect Janet Guthrie more too!~