Danica Patrick's NASCAR future could be linked up with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s, according to Sports Illustrated.
SI.com quotes NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick as saying that Patrick is in discussions with Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports to run a series of NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series races for the team. JR Motorsports recently concluded a sponsorship arrangement with Patrick's longtime personal sponsor, GoDaddy.com.
"We have no deal but she has spoke with Kelley Earnhardt [Dale Jr.'s sister, who handles that teams business affairs] about a limited number of NASCAR races in that car," Hendrick told SI.com. "I have had some conversation and Kelley Earnhardt has had some conversation with that, but Kelly is heading that up."
Late last month, Patrick reportedly signed a new three-year contract with Andretti Green Racing to remain in the IndyCar Series, although neither she nor the team has yet confirmed that.
JRM exploring limited deal with Danica
By David Newton
ESPN.com
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The darling of the IndyCar Series and NASCAR's most popular driver could be joining forces in 2010.
Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, the president of JR Motorsports that is co-owned by Sprint Cup star Dale Earnhardt Jr., said on Monday she is exploring options that could put Danica Patrick in a limited number of Nationwide Series races next year.
"There is a natural fit at JRM with Dale Jr. and Danica both serving as spokespersons for GoDaddy.com," Elledge said. "As a female managing one of the top Nationwide Series teams in the sport, I would be excited to have Danica within the JR Motorsports fold if she decides to enter the world of NASCAR."
Rick Hendrick, who co-owns JR Motorsports with Earnhardt, told SI.com on Sunday about the potential deal. The owner of Hendrick Motorsports told the Web site that they are trying to work around Patrick's IndyCar schedule for a limited number of Nationwide and ARCA races.
It was reported two weeks ago that Patrick signed a three-year extension to remain in the IndyCar Series with Andretti Green Racing. Team officials said they were unable to comment at this time. Sources close to the situation said the official announcement will be made when the sponsor is ready.
Elledge said Patrick would split time with Earnhardt and several other drivers in the No. 5. Kelly Bires recently was signed to replace Brad Keselowski in the No. 88 car next season.
"Kelly bires will run 88 full time," Elledge said in a text. "So she will be part time in 2nd car."
GoDaddy.com, which sponsors Keselowski in the Nationwide Series this season, recently announced it would be the primary sponsor on Mark Martin's No. 5 Sprint Cup car next year.
Waltrip meets with Patrick on 2010
By David Newton
ESPN.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Add Michael Waltrip Racing to the list of NASCAR suitors for IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick for 2010.
Team owner Michael Waltrip said on Tuesday he's met with Patrick and given her a tour of the team facility. He is willing to put her in a limited number of races in the Nationwide and Truck Series. "Whatever she wants," he said.
"We've certainly talked to her and are interested in what she's going to do," Waltrip said. "We have sort of done that without a whole lot of people knowing. She knows we're interested when she knows what she's going to do."
“ She knows we're interested when she knows what she's going to do.
” -- Michael Waltrip, on Danica Patrick
Waltrip doesn't believe the rivalry between Japanese car manufacturers will be a stumbling block. Patrick drives a Honda in the IndyCar Series; Waltrip's team fields Toyotas.
"There's not a Honda over here [in NASCAR], so she's going to drive something besides that," he said.
Waltrip's chief competition appears to be JR Motorsports, which has discussed fielding Patrick in a limited number of Nationwide and ARCA races next season.
JR Motorsports, which is co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick, may have one advantage in that it already has a relationship with GoDaddy.com.
"There is a natural fit at JRM with Dale Jr. and Danica both serving as spokespersons for GoDaddy.com," JRM president Kelley Earnhardt Elledge said on Monday. "As a female managing one of the top Nationwide Series teams in the sport, I would be excited to have Danica within the JR Motorsports fold if she decides to enter the world of NASCAR."
Patrick would split time with Earnhardt and several other drivers in the No. 5 at JRM. Kelly Bires recently was signed to replace Brad Keselowski in the No. 88 that currently is sponsored by GoDaddy.com
GoDaddy.com recently announced it would be the primary sponsor of Mark Martin in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Sprint Cup car next season.
Whatever direction Patrick takes, she will have to work it around her IndyCar schedule.
It was reported two weeks ago that Patrick signed a three-year extension to remain with Andretti Green Racing. Team officials said they were unable to comment at this time. Sources close to the situation said the official announcement will be made when the sponsor is ready.
But Patrick has made it clear she wants to pursue driving in NASCAR, so that if she decides to one day make the switch, she'll be ready.
"I don't know where we stand," Waltrip said. "I've enjoyed talking with her and peeking inside her world a little bit. We welcome the opportunity. I'm not into who the frontrunner is. I just know we could offer her a real good program."
Tony Stewart has said Patrick will eventually make the jump from IndyCars to stock cars and that they have talked about making that transition. He said last month he does not expect Patrick to jump straight into the Sprint Cup Series.
"You've got to learn," Stewart said. "You've got to get used to the heavier race car, less downforce, smaller tires. There's a lot of learning, a lot of race tracks you've got to get used to. It's sensory overload."
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