4LT GS Roadster
Danica Patrick with Dale Earnhardt Jr. at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 17, in Mooresville, N.C..
MOORESVILLE, N.C. MOORESVILLE – At least for now, Danica Patrick's NASCAR debut will wait until the Feb. 20 Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
While not totally writing off participating in the series' season opener at Daytona Beach, Fla., Patrick on Thursday said she will definitely attempt the races at California and the following week at Las Vegas.
So far, those are the only concrete dates on what will likely be a 13-race stock car racing schedule with JR Motorsports in 2010 for the IndyCar star.
“The (Daytona) race is basically a Cup race, some 30-odd drivers in Cup run in it,” Patrick said. “So, is that the right time for me to start or not? You only get one grand opening, so I've heard. We want it to be the right opportunity.”
Patrick begins a three-day test Friday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the Feb. 6 Automobile Racing Club of America series race. Last week, Patrick announced she had signed a two-year deal with JRM to run a limited Nationwide schedule.
Patrick has already gotten some track time in a car. She and fellow JRM driver Kelly Bires spent several hours testing last week at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla.
Patrick's performance drew rave reviews Thursday from her crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., and team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“This will be a hell of a challenge and I like her determination and drive to want to do it,” Earnhardt said of Patrick.
“They went and tested and, truthfully, everybody was wondering what the learning curve was going to be. They went to Orlando and that went pretty damn good.”
Patrick insists she is making the venture into NASCAR with an open mind and by taking “small steps,” which played into her decision to leave a Nationwide debut at Daytona in doubt. She also insisted Thursday she is not afraid to fail.
“Will I be comfortable if I just turn back someday and say, ‘This isn't for me?' Yes. I'm just going to be honest with myself and with everyone about moving forward,” Patrick said.
Patrick also insisted her full-time job in the IndyCar Series with Andretti Autosport remains her top priority.
“I still love IndyCar, and I still want to win the Indy 500 – I really want,” she said. “I had a feeling years ago that I'm going to win this race, and I still think I will.”
