New information now being posted on the #10 team page.(11-4-2011)

Danica Patrick announces 2012 Cup schedule and number: Tony Stewart announced Danica Patrick's slate of Sprint Cup races in 2012 and revealed her new car number and paint scheme. Patrick, a seven-year veteran of the IZOD IndyCar Series where she became the first woman in series history to win a race, is making the full transition to stock cars in 2012, competing in the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports and a 10-race Sprint Cup schedule for SHR. Patrick's Sprint Cup debut will come in the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 26 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Her remaining Sprint Cup races are as follows: May 12 -Darlington; Aug. 25 -Bristol; Sept. 2 - Atlanta; Sept. 16: Chicagoland; Sept. 30 - Dover; Nov. 4 - Texas; Nov. 11 - Phoenix. Two Sprint Cup races are to be determined, with the plan being to assess Patrick's development in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series as the season progresses and then choose the remaining venues based on need and competitive reasoning. In addition to the schedule, Stewart and Patrick also took the wraps off the GoDaddy.com Chevy Patrick will race for SHR in Sprint Cup. The bright green machine will feature the #10, which Patrick used throughout her early racing career in karting before moving to Europe where she competed in Formula Ford and Formula Vauxhall - stepping-stone divisions to Formula 1.(TrueSpeed Communications), see an image of the car on my #10 team paint schemes page.(11-4-2011)

Danica's 2012 schedule to be announced Friday: Stewart-Haas Racing likely will hire a crew chief, key engineers and road crew for Danica Patrick's part-time schedule in 2012 with the idea that they will work with Patrick in 2013. The team doesn't have sponsorship to run the car more than 10 races, and if it doesn't find sponsorship for the races Patrick won't drive, it must decide how many people it can hire to work full time for a partial run next year. "You want to build your team from the ground up," SHR Executive Vice President Brett Frood said Tuesday. "Our objective is to start building that team throughout next year. It may not be every piece of the team, but the core components we're going to build next year so they can get their continuity and learn from each other. It may be pieces at a time, but as we get into the end of next year, we're going to have the team intact ready to transition into 2013 full time without any challenges." Patrick's 2012 Cup schedule will be announced Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.(Scene Daily)(11-3-2011)

Eury Jr won't be Danica's Cup crew chief: Tony Eury Jr. says he will be the crew chief for Danica Patrick in the Nationwide Series at JR Motorsports but not in her limited Sprint Cup Series schedule at Stewart-Haas Racing. Eury said no decision has been made on Patrick's crew chief for eight to 10 Cup races, but didn't rule out that SHR might fill that role with somebody already in the company. One possibility could be vice president of competition Matt Borland, who was the crew chief for Ryan Newman when he won the Cup rookie of the year award in 2002. Owner Tony Stewart has been looking for a full-time director of competition since Bobby Hutchens was released earlier in the year. As for Patrick's Cup schedule, Eury has suggested she go to tracks where she hasn't been in her two years of a limited Nationwide schedule. Among his suggestions are Martinsville, Pocono and Sonoma. Eury said if it were up to him he wouldn't begin with the Daytona 500 because Patrick already has run several Nationwide races there and knows what she can do. "She'd be better off going somewhere to help her down the line,'' Eury said.(ESPN)(10-15-2011)

Danica waiting on 2012 Schedules to be released for Cup races to be decided: Danica Patrick, who is moving to NASCAR’s Nationwide Series full time in 2012, said Friday her limited Sprint Cup schedule wouldn’t be determined until NASCAR released next year’s schedule in its entirety. “Go Daddy’s input is important (in determining the schedule) and they’ll play a part, but they’re also respectful enough to understand that I’m the driver and the team owners are drivers, too, and they’re not NASCAR professionals necessarily” Patrick said about her sponsor. “Taking the advice of those around me who have been in the sport for a long time, they realize that’s the smart thing to do, too, and they don’t stand in the way.” When Patrick discussed her limited Cup schedule with team owner Tony Stewart, he suggested going to the tougher tracks, such as Darlington, Dover or Bristol, so she could start learning them. “That means I’m really going to look like crap out there,” Patrick said with a laugh. Patrick expects her schedule to come together rather quickly once NASCAR has released the 2012 Sprint Cup dates.(RacinToday)(9-10-2011)

Robby Gordon will not give up #7 for Danica: Robby Gordon says he won't give Danica Patrick the #7 when she enters the Sprint Cup series part-time next season. "C'mon!'' Gordon said on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. "Why would I?'' Patrick said on Thursday, when officially announcing plans to leave the IndyCar Series to drive a fulltime Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports and part-time Cup schedule for Stewart Haas Racing in 2012, that she'd like to keep the #7 that she's had throughout her motorsports career. Gordon, who has had the number for six years in Cup, isn't willing to bargain. "'I've built my business around the # 7,'' Gordon said. "It's all fun and games, but I think she should be proud to drive the #77.'' The 77 could be available. It hasn't been used for a full Cup schedule since Sam Hornish Jr. lost his ride at Penske Racing after the 2010 season.(ESPN)(8-27-2011)

Stewart looking for driver to split ride with Danica: Tony Stewart is searching for a driver and sponsor that will split the 2012 Sprint Cup schedule with Danica Patrick, who announced on Thursday she will drive eight to 10 races next year for Stewart-Haas Racing. The purpose would be to keep Patrick's car ranked in the top 35 in points, guaranteeing her and sponsor GoDaddy.com a spot in the starting lineup each week. "We'd love to,'' Stewart said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. "If we can put together a package to run somebody in the rest of the races we'd love to do that. It's in everybody's best interest to do that. It would be good for us as a team to be able to go ahead and run that car full-time if that opportunity presents itself.'' Among the drivers who have surfaced is Mark Martin, who is driving the GoDaddy.com Cup car for Hendrick Motorsports this season. Sources said the key for Martin would be finding a sponsor. GoDaddy.com CEO and founder Bob Parsons was noncommittal when asked if he would sponsor the remainder of the season for the third SHR car. Stewart said he has not set Patrick's Cup schedule yet, although Patrick said the odds of her debut coming in the 2012 Daytona 500 were good.(ESPN)(8-26-2011)

Latest on Danica...to NASCAR in 2012: UPDATES - Official Announcement: Danica Patrick next week will formally announce her intent to move to NASCAR full-time in 2012, multiple sources with knowledge of her contract negotiations told ESPN. Although her contracts are still being finalized, Patrick -- who has raced in both the IndyCar Series and the Nationwide series this season and last season -- will drive the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy for the entire 2012 Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports, sources said. She also plans to enter select Sprint Cup races next season in cars prepared by Stewart-Haas Racing, with the intent to move to Sprint Cup full-time in a multiyear deal with Stewart-Haas in 2013, sources said. Patrick is expected to make the announcement in Phoenix, where GoDaddy.com is headquartered, in a news conference currently being arranged, according to sources. JR Motorsports representatives said Wednesday they have "nothing new to report." It is unknown at this time how this may affect Patrick's ability to compete in the 2012 Indianapolis 500, sources said.(ESPN)(8-17-2011)
UPDATE: The news conference that tentatively was scheduled for Wednesday to announce the move of IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick to NASCAR full-time in 2012 has been postponed.Multiple sources said GoDaddy.com, which is planning the official announcement in Phoenix, is optimistic the news conference will be rescheduled for Thursday. Sources told ESPN.com it was postponed because of delays in dealing with multiple parties involved in the process. According to sources, Patrick will drive a full-time Nationwide Series schedule in 2012 for JR Motorsports, for whom she drove part-time this season and last. She also will drive a part-time Sprint Cup schedule for Stewart-Haas Racing, with an eye on a full-time Cup ride there in 2013.(ESPN)(8-24-2011)
UPDATE 2: Danica Patrick will make her debut in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series in the 2012 Daytona 500. While Patrick does not plan to run a full Cup schedule until 2013, she will do eight to 10 Cup races next year with Stewart-Haas Racing, beginning with the Daytona 500, a source familiar with the announcement said Wednesday night. Patrick will run her Nationwide schedule, as she has the past two seasons, with JR Motorsports and all Cup races will be run out of SHR. GoDaddy.com will sponsor all of Patrick’s NASCAR races, sources said.(Charlotte Observer)
UPDATE 3: Putting the pedal to the media metal, and with Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons at her side … Danica revealed her racing future today. “We can finally put the rumors to rest – I am going full-time NASCAR with Go Daddy next year,” Danica told a crowded Phoenix news conference a few minutes ago. “I am going to race a full Nationwide schedule and limited Sprint Cup schedule in my GoDaddy.com Chevrolet next season.” For the NASCAR Nationwide Series races, she’ll drive with her current stock car team, JR Motorsports, owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Danica will be with Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation. Both series will be financially fueled by Go Daddy, her long-time sponsor who first signed the Go Daddy Girl in 2006.(JR Motorsports)(8-25-2011)
Statement from NASCAR CEO Brian France: “We are pleased Danica Patrick has chosen to race full time in NASCAR in 2012. She has demonstrated a strong desire to compete and NASCAR provides the best opportunity to race against the top drivers in the world with the largest and most loyal fan base in motorsports on a week-to-week basis. Danica has shown solid improvement in NASCAR and we believe her decision to run full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with additional races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be exciting for our fans and a great challenge for her.”(NASCAR)(8-25-2011)
Statement from Tony Stewart: “We’re very excited to have Danica Patrick and Go Daddy join Stewart-Haas Racing in 2012 for a limited NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule with the intention of us running her full-time in Sprint Cup in 2013. We’re proud of the fact she wants to come and be a part of Stewart-Haas Racing and what we’ve built with Ryan Newman and myself and all of our partners. Having Danica and Go Daddy as a combination at SHR is something we’re really looking forward to. The thing you see in Danica right away is how determined she is to be good at what she does. She’s very dedicated to taking the time and effort to make the transition from Indy cars to stock cars. She has talent, she has the right mindset and she has the proper drive and determination. It doesn’t matter who it is you’re looking for, those are the key attributes that you look for in a driver, and Danica’s got them.”(Stewart Hass Racing)(8-25-2011)
UPDATE 4: Kelley Earnhardt, co-owner and general manager of JR Motorsports, said in a conference call Thursday afternoon, a couple of hours after Patrick had made her announcement that she'll not only drive full-time for JR Motorsports in Nationwide but also that she'll drive in eight to 10 Sprint Cup races for Stewart-Haas Racing. Earnhardt said there never really was a chance of JR Motorsports fielding a Cup car for Patrick. "We discussed whether or not that would make sense for everyone involved. And quite frankly, JR Motorsports isn't ready to bite that bullet," she said. "We have partners under the JR Motorsports umbrella -- like Stewart-Haas Racing -- that were interested in adding cars to their fold on the Sprint Cup side. So I think it worked out best for everybody." Earnhardt also said she understands Patrick's desire to perhaps race in the Indianapolis 500 next year, but made it clear that she expects Patrick's top priority -- even during the month of May -- to be her Nationwide team.(NASCAR.com)(8-25-2011)

Stewart still mum about Danica: #14-Tony Stewart met with members of the media at Michigan International Speedway and discussed a few items, and was asked about Danica Patrick, the transcript in part:
CAN YOU ADDRESS THE DANICA SITUATION?
Stewart: "It's like I've always said when we have something to tell everybody we'll tell them but there's nothing to tell yet. I know there's a lot of speculation but there is nothing to really talk about yet."
I'VE HEARD FROM MANY SOURCES
Stewart: "I don't care about your sources. When we have something to talk about we'll talk about it. I promise we won't leave any of you guys out I promise."
DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE SOON?
Stewart: "What will be soon? I don't know. I don't know. If we knew that we'd already be talking about it wouldn't we. When we have something to talk about I promise you I will not let any of you be late for the deal."
YOU'RE STILL OBVIOUSLY LOOKING TO ADD A THIRD TEAM
Stewart: "We've said that from day one. We've never wavered from that, never said anything different from that. We're definitely to a third team and want to be a four-car team eventually."(Team Chevy)(8-20-2011)

Patrick close to signing deal to run NASCAR in 2012 UPDATE2 Stewart comments: Danica Patrick is in the final stages of putting together her full-time NASCAR plan. Patrick is apparently going to run a full Nationwide schedule with JR Motorsports [in 2012], and run a limited Sprint Cup schedule with Tony Stewart in preparation for an eventual full Cup schedule.(ESPN/Associated Press)(8-2-2011)
UPDATE: Danica Patrick could still run the Indianapolis 500 even if she makes a full-time move to NASCAR, The Associated Press has learned. Two people familiar with Patrick's 2012 plans said she is in the final stages of a deal to run a full-time Nationwide Series schedule with JR Motorsports and limited Sprint Cup Series races with the team owned by two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart. The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the deal won't be finished until she has secured a release from Andretti Autosport. The talks also include her continuing to run the Indianapolis 500, one person told AP.(ESPN)(8-2-2011)
UPDATE2 - Stewart...no comment? #14-Tony Stewart, met with members of the media at Pocono Raceway and discussed a few items and was asked about Danica Patrick:
Q) THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS ABOUT DANICA (PATRICK)…
Stewart: ”I know, I’ve heard all kinds of stuff (chuckles).”
Q) CAN YOU SAY ARE YOU WORKING ON ANYTHING WITH HER?
Stewart: “Nope, nope.”
Q) YOU CAN’T SAY OR YOU ARE NOT WORKING ON SOMETHING?
Stewart: “Can’t say anything.”
(Team Chevy PR)(8-6-2011)

Danica 3rd highest paid female athlete: Izod IndyCar Series driver and fan favorite Danica Patrick is the world's third-highest-paid female athlete, according to an earnings estimate by Forbes.com. Patrick's annual income is estimated at $12 million, trailing only tennis players Maria Sharapova ($25 million) and Caroline Wozniacki ($12.5 million). Tennis players dominate the list, grabbing seven of the top 10 spots. Forbes's estimates are for the 12 months ending on July 1 and include the athletes' salaries, prize money, appearance fees and endorsements.(AutoWeek)(8-3-2011)

Danica not ready to announce 2012 plans UPDATE2 GoDaddy.com sold: Although the expectation is that Danica Patrick will move to NASCAR full time next year, she's not ready to announce anything. "Obviously I'm racing in NASCAR and not made anyone wonder whether or not I like it,'' she said. "As I've said at the beginning of the year, it's complicated and takes time. Whether I'm coming here or not has yet to be signed, sealed and delivered.''(Ronoke Times)(7-1-2011)
UPDATE: On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported the GoDaddy Group's Bob Parsons agreed to sell the company to KKR & Co., Silver Lake Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures for $2.25 billion. Parsons, a huge advocate of Patrick's, will remain CEO. Patrick is in her second partial season with JR Motorsports. She ran 13 races in 2010 and has six events under her belt in the #7 Chevy this season. Her career-best finish of fourth came in March at Las Vegas and set a record for the highest finishing female in NASCAR's top three series. JR Motorsports president Kelley Earnhardt says she "was not privy" to the GoDaddy deal but hopes the sponsor will continue to support the team. "I would assume that the buyers are very aware of GoDaddy's sponsorship of Danica and what it's done for their business," Earnhardt said. "So I would hope they continue the relationship with JRM and Danica should Danica drive for JRM next year."(FoxSports)(7-2-2011)
UPDATE2: A spokesperson for GoDaddy.com said Saturday that the company's sale to the KKR investment firm will not change Go Daddy's status as a primary sponsor for Danica Patrick's racing career. Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of GoDaddy.com, was traveling Saturday and unavailable for comment. But Elizabeth Driscoll, the vice president of public relations for GoDaddy.com, said the company will continue to back Patrick. "I can tell you Bob's been very vocal about how well Danica has fit into Go Daddy's marketing efforts," Driscoll said. "And the new investors have specifically said they don't want to mess with Go Daddy's secret sauce -- at least two of the magic ingredients, our customer service and marketing. "We are very much looking forward to the future -- on the Internet and on the race track."(ESPN)(7-2-2011)

More on Danica to NASCAR: UPDATE: SPEED.com open wheel reporter Robin Miller joined Steve Byrnes on NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED Thursday evening to discuss Danica Patrick and Andretti Autosport among other things. Following is the transcript in part from the interview;
On whether rumors are true that Danica Patrick is headed to NASCAR fulltime:
Miller: "We've been saying for six months that she's gone. I don't think anyone in IndyCar thinks that she's going to be around. I think everyone is resigned to the fact that IMG is going to take her to NASCAR. Where she lands in NASCAR, I think that's what is going to be interesting. Tony Stewart lately has been saying, 'I'd really like to see her come here. She's got a lot of potential.' I think that potential might be assigned to that GoDaddy paycheck, which is pretty big."(SPEED)(6-17-2011)
Danica Patrick is sticking with IMG in the wake of agent Mark Steinberg's split with the sports management giant. And though Patrick hasn't made a decision on the future of her racing career, she says her agents officially are free to listen to offers. Many racing contracts contain clauses that prohibit drivers from negotiating new deals with rival teams until a specific date, but Patrick said she's under no such restrictions. "That's open," Patrick said Friday at the Milwaukee Mile. "My agents are working." She is showing steady improvement in NASCAR's Nationwide Series and is considering a full-time move from IndyCar to NASCAR. But she might be able to pull off a deal that also would allow her to run in the Indianapolis 500 -- a race she still desperately wants to win.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(6-18-2011)

Danica's sponsor expects her to move to NASCAR; sponsor Kahne? Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of Danica Patrick sponsor GoDaddy.com, said Sunday he expects her to make the move full-time to NASCAR next season. "She hasn't told me she will, but I believe she will and we'll be ready," Parsons said. "Here's the fact: She loves [NASCAR], it's much more exciting than IndyCar, with all due respect, and the TV audience for NASCAR is off the hook." Parsons was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday to watch Patrick compete in the event. Patrick is working on a plan to race full-time in the Nationwide Series is 2012 and move to Sprint Cup in 2013, sources confirmed earlier this week. "She came up to me right after she did her first NASCAR race [the 2010 Nationwide race at Daytona]," Parson said. "She said to me, 'I absolutely loved it. This is what I was born to do.' " Parsons emphasized he is behind her whatever decision she makes. "As long as I can stroke the check," he said. "I tell you what, she doesn't exactly work for minimum wage. I usually don't get into that too much until the decision's been made. But I've told her I would sponsor her if she started ice skating." Along with Patrick's IndyCar ride at Andretti Autosport and her Nationwide car at JR Motorsports, GoDaddy also sponsors Mark Martin's Cup car at Hendrick Motorsports. Martin is leaving after this season and Kasey Kahne is taking over in that car. Will GoDaddy sponsor Kahne in 2012? "We're working on that," Parsons said. "I can tell you Mr. [Rick] Hendrick runs an awfully good team and he's been a great business partner for us."(ESPN.com)(5-29-2011)

Danica considering full time NASCAR in 2012? UPDATEs: Danica Patrick and her management team are working on a plan that would bring her full-time to NASCAR in 2012, sources said Tuesday. Patrick hopes to finalize a deal soon that would have her race full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series next season. She would also race a few Sprint Cup events in 2012 before going full-time to Cup in 2013. The plan includes Patrick continuing to compete in the Indianapolis 500 next year. Which team she will race for and how the details will work out are still being finalized, sources said. GoDaddy.com, which sponsors her Indy car and the car she drives in the Nationwide Series, is expected to stay with her if she moves to NASCAR full-time. Her contracts with Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series and JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series end after this year. Patrick said last week at Indianapolis that she hasn't made any decisions about her future.(ESPN.com)(5-24-2011)
UPDATE: Tony Stewart says he'd be interested in signing Danica Patrick if she moves to NASCAR's top series. Stewart is the owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, and is always looking for opportunties to grow the team from two to four cars. He's given Patrick advice during her trial period in NASCAR, and moving full-time from IndyCar is a possibility when her contract ends later this year. Stewart said Wednesday he's not had talks with Patrick about driving for SHR. He also said he would not field a Nationwide Series team for Patrick.(Associated Press)
AND Danica Patrick on Wednesday said there was "no truth" to an ESPN report that her and her management team were working on plans for a fulltime NASCAR schedule in 2012. SI.com's Bruce Martin, in a previously-scheduled interview with Patrick on Wednesday in Indianapolis, asked her for her reaction to the report. Here was Patrick's complete response: "I'm watching TV and see it scroll across the bottom of the screen. I don't know where it came from but it's all speculation. Anybody can speculate that and write that. I don't know where it came from but there is no truth to it; it's just speculation," she said. "It's no different than it was last month or even last year. There is nothing new in it."(Charlotte Observer)(5-25-2011)

Danica still mum about 2012 plans: Rumors that Danica Patrick would jump to NASCAR have dogged her for years and even have been acknowledged by IndyCar officials. The 29-year-old, who has driven in both IndyCar and the NASCAR Nationwide series this year and last, was vague when asked about her plans Thursday. "I suppose anything is possible," she said. "But I know for me, I haven't made any of those decisions yet." Her improved performance in NASCAR has fueled speculation that her IndyCar days might be nearing an end [both her Indy Car and JR Motorsports contracts are done at the end of 2011]. She struggled last year during her first year of stock car racing, but she qualified fourth and briefly led the Nationwide race at Daytona this February before finishing 14th. The next month, she placed fourth in the Las Vegas Nationwide race, the best finish for a woman in a national NASCAR race. She'll return to NASCAR for the Nationwide race at Chicago in June.(in part from the Associated Press)(5-20-2011)

Danica gets best NASCAR finish for a woman: Anyone who says Danica Patrick had her best NASCAR finish Saturday because of fuel mileage is dead wrong. Patrick made history with her fourth-place finish, the best ever for a woman in a national NASCAR event. That record stood for 62 years. Sara Christian finished fifth at Pittsburgh in 1949 during NASCAR's inaugural season. Patrick is the first woman to lead a lap at Indianapolis and Daytona, the first woman to win a major open-wheel event and the first woman to finish in the top four in a NASCAR touring-series race. (ESPN.com)(3-6-2011)

Patrick uncertain about future: Two days before Danica Patrick begins her 2011 racing season, in which she'll race both stock cars and Indy cars, she said she's unsure of her plans for 2012 and beyond. "It depends on what I want to do, it depends on sponsorship, it depends on a lot of things," Patrick said on Thursday after turning in a speed of 193.515 at Nationwide Series practice, the third-fastest run of the day. "Luckily, though, it's only Feb. 17, so I have a lot of time to think about it and figure it out." Her contracts for both NASCAR and IndyCar end after this season, meaning she could likely choose to race stock cars full-time next year. But she doesn't intend on making a decision anytime soon, and she's unsure when that decision will be made. "The season ends when the season ends and it starts next year when it starts," she said. "So, somewhere in that time frame." Patrick will race in 12 Nationwide races again this season, looking to improve her stock after an up-and-down showing last year. She's only a part-time driver in the Nationwide Series, which is 34 races in all.(Orlando Sentinel)(2-18-2011)

Danica has no current plans for Cup: In Mobile, Alabama for the GoDaddy.com Bowl, Danica Patrick was asked if there was a time line for her to be in Sprint Cup racing: "Unless I plan on doing NASCAR there is less of a point of doing Cup. I have a long way to go to establish whether or not if this (NASCAR) is what I want to do. I suppose at some point in time I'll have to choose but I don't have to yet." Patrick will perform the coin toss duties at the beginning of the GoDaddy.com Bowl Thursday.(Inside Alabama Racing)(1-6-2011)

Martin may coach Danica..but: Danica Patrick has spoken with NASCAR's #5-Mark Martin about working with her and says she's open to any help she can get in figuring out the nuances of driving stock cars. "It would be nice if somebody could help me, whoever it is -- I would take any help," Patrick said. "Like he [Martin] said, you need somebody to get in the car and say this is the setup, go drive it after they've driven it. It's one thing to say drive this line, do this or that, but when you don't have maybe the car that can do that, it's just words, so it would be nice for someone to throw me in a car after they've driven it so I get a real feel for it." Patrick's part-time foray into NASCAR hasn't gone particularly well as she's tried to get a feel for the harder-to-drive stock cars. She ran the first three Nationwide races of the season, finishing no higher than 31st, and added four more races when she had breaks in the IndyCar season with similar results. Now that the open-wheel season is over, Patrick is slated to run the final six Nationwide races, starting Saturday at Auto Club, and hopes the consistency of no longer flip-flopping between series will turn out better results.(ESPN/Associated Press)(10-9-2010)
BUT: Patrick says she would welcome a driver coach – Martin says he is not available – who could set up her car so that when she gets in it she can concentrate on driving it, not trying to figure out how to make it drivable (Yahoo Sports)(10-9-2010)

Danica to run K&N Pro Series East race at Dover: Danica Patrick will attempt to tackle the monster twice with the announcement of her intent to enter the “Sunoco 150” NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Dover on Sept. 24. Patrick will behind the wheel of the #83 JR Motorsports entry in the Friday afternoon race. The Sunoco 150 at Dover serves as the season finale for NASCAR's top developmental series, and a champion will be crowned when the checkered flag falls. Patrick will also race the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy for JR Motorsports in the 200-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Saturday, Sept. 25. Prior to the event, Patrick will participate in a free question-and-answer session on the base of the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza. NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on Sept. 24-26, 2010. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.(Dover International Speedway)(9-17-2010)

Patrick doesn't blame NASCAR gig for strugging IRL season: Danica Patrick has little trouble clicking through the reasons why she's off to the worst start of her IndyCar career. Poor qualifying. Missed opportunities. Bad setups. Even worse luck. Never, however, does Patrick use the word "NASCAR" while trying to explain what she admits is largely unexplainable. Patrick isn't about to place blame on her part-time gig driving in NASCAR's Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports [#7 GoDaddy.com Chevy]. "It just a really easy thing to look at, an easy excuse," she said. "I don't think there's anything to it." Patrick is 16th in points heading into the Indy 500 and has finished outside the Top 10 in four of five races. She had seven such finishes all of last season, when she soared to a career-best fifth in the points standings. She re-signed with Andretti Autosports to compete for a title. Two months into the season, she's not even competing for the top spot on her own team. Patrick is currently looking up at teammates Ryan Hunter-Reay (fourth), Tony Kanaan (eighth) and Marco Andretti (13th) in the standings. "It's just an unfortunate situation, and there's no other answer," she said. Her struggles weren't exactly the kind of spring she had in mind following her largely positive NASCAR debut. She signed a deal with JR Motorsports last December to drive part-time on the Nationwide Series. She drove capably in her stock car debut, finishing sixth in an ARCA race at Daytona in February. The next week she rolled out alongside Sprint Cup regulars Stewart, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. Patrick made it 58 laps before getting caught up in an accident that wasn't her fault and finished 35th. She improved to 31st a week later in California before ending her first Nationwide stint with a 36th-place finish in Las Vegas.(in part from the Associated Press/ESPN)(5-13-2010)

Danica gives GoDaddy most tv coverage value: In Danica Patrick's first three NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, where she finished 35th, 31st and 36th, her sponsor GoDaddy.com stood #1 among all primary team sponsors with 1 hour, 57 minutes, 51 seconds of tv time, 15 mentions and a Recognition Grade value of $1,340,880. Justin Allgaier (with finishes of 4th, 9th and 7th) and his Verizon entry ranked second with $561,600.(Joyce Julius)(4-9-2010)

Danica Patrick to make NASCAR debut at Daytona: Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy this Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced. Patrick, Earnhardt, and team officials convened Sunday following the ARCA event at Daytona, in which Patrick raced to a sixth-place finish in her stock-car debut. The decision for Patrick to compete in the Daytona Nationwide Series event is supported by sponsor GoDaddy.com and JRM co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and Rick Hendrick. “To be the one driving that Go Daddy car at Daytona means a lot to me,” Patrick said. “Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. The ARCA race was a blast, and I’m not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing.” Patrick’s entry in the Drive4COPD 300 puts her in a JR Motorsports tandem with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will drive the #88 Hellmann’s Chevy. Patrick will continue her Nationwide Series schedule on Feb. 20 at Auto Club Speedway and Feb. 27 at Las Vegas. Patrick is guaranteed starting positions in all three races based off JRM’s acquisition of points from CJM Racing’s #11 team, which finished 15th in the 2009 Nationwide Series owners point standings. GoDaddy.com will be the primary sponsor for 11 of Patrick’s 13 Nationwide Series races in 2010. She started 12th in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 and finished sixth, including a late rally from 23rd position all the way to the front pack in just under 20 laps.(JR Motorpsorts)(2-8-2010)

Patrick could run Nationwide race at Daytona: Danica Patrick could win her stock car debut at Saturday's ARCA race at Daytona and still decide to bypass the Nationwide Series opener there a week later. "(Finishing high) doesn't mean that I'm ready for that race," the IndyCar star said Wednesday. "Maybe I didn't get put in very many tough situations." Patrick won't commit to any particular yardstick of what it would take to convince her to make her NASCAR debut in the second-tier series Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway. "That way, whatever I decide, nobody can argue with me," Patrick said. Where she finishes is less important than which new challenges she faces - and how she handles them. "I'll have to feel comfortable in all situations," Patrick said. "It's a much different animal from the Daytona 500 weekend with 30 Cup drivers and more cars and more experience. Every level you step up, if you're not prepared, it's just exponentially harder. "It's going to have to be a pretty stellar weekend." Otherwise, Patrick will make her debut the following week in Fontana, Calif. JR Motorsports said last week that Patrick would race at least 12 NASCAR events this season but left the first one up in the air.(Associated Press)(2-4-2010)

Danica's schedule announced: Danica Patrick will compete in 12 NASCAR Nationwide Series races with the possibility of 13 in her debut season with JR Motorsports, co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced. The only event uncertain on Patrick’s schedule is the Feb. 13 season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy is entered in the event, but its driver will not be determined until after Patrick’s race in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event on Feb. 6. Patrick will compete in the Daytona ARCA race in a JR Motorsports-prepared #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy. Beyond Daytona, Patrick’s 2010 campaign is confirmed starting with the Feb. 20 race at Auto Club Speedway and the Feb. 27 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Following Vegas, Patrick will take a four-month hiatus to focus on her IndyCar Series responsibilities before returning to drive the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in the Nationwide Series June 26 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The remainder of her schedule includes Nationwide races at Chicagoland Speedway (July 9), Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 14), Dover International Speedway (Sept. 25), Auto Club Speedway (Oct. 9), Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 15), Gateway International Raceway (Oct. 23), Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 6), Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 13), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 20). While Patrick’s participation in the Daytona race is to be determined, JR Motorsports will still field two cars for the Nationwide Series season opener. Due to sponsorship reallocation for the upcoming season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the #88 Hellmann’s Chevy in place of Kelly Bires in what is the first of two scheduled races for the JRM co-owner. Bires will return to the seat of the #88 Chevy the following week at Auto Club Speedway and could be called upon to drive the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy at Daytona should Patrick not compete in that event. GoDaddy.com will serve as primary sponsor for 10 of Patrick’s 12 races in the #7 Chevy in 2010.(JR Motorsports PR)(1-28-2010)

Danica on CSI: Danica Patrick and VH1's Antonio Sabato Jr. will play Formula race car drivers Davi Santos and Liza Gray on the February 17th episode of CSI: NY [CBS Wednesday at 10:00pm/et], who will get into an explosive car crash during an expedition race through New York City.(People)(1-17-2010)

Danica Makes Her First Lap in ARCA car at Daytona: Danica Patrick made her first laps in an ARCA Racing Series stock car during a rain-shortened test session at Daytona Int'l Speedway on Friday afternoon. Patrick, one of 26 drivers who posted a time during the 35-minute single car run session, was 12th quickest on the charts with a time of 51.095 seconds (176.142 mph) around the 2.5-mile superspeedway. A trio of three cars fielded by long-time ARCA Racing Series team Venturini Motorsports comprised the top three positions in Friday's test session, led by fulltime series competitor Mikey Kile (49.804 seconds/180.708 mph). The first of a three day ARCA test session was shortened to just 35 minutes after rain plagued both morning and afternoon at the Daytona Beach-based superspeedway. Patrick was able to make just four laps at full speed during the session. "It's still a car once you get in it," Patrick said during a post test media center press conference on Friday. "I feel most comfortable once I'm at speed actually. Everything from getting into the car to getting the car started--that part feels quite different to me. It's not normal to me. The car gets pulled out to pit lane and you get in the car when its in its pit stall in an IndyCar and the getting strapped in part is something that I've been familiar with for a long time now so everything is a little bit different but once I get out there I feel good. I feel comfortable. These cars can run more lanes on the track. You're all the way to the wall and the car is good to go there. It's easier to drive there and in an IndyCar you can't use quite as many lanes usually. That's just one of the first things I noticed. The gear shifter has more travel. You have to pull something and no more paddle anymore. The clutch is long. It's just different stuff. But I wouldn't say that there is any instinctual stuff that is different which is the best part, right? Because I just get to be a driver and I get to do what I'm used to. I feel comfortable once I get going." ARCA Racing Series teams will return for two additional full days of testing on Saturday and Sunday. For a complete recap of Friday test speeds, visit arcaracing.com.(ARCA Racing)(12-18-2009)

Danica Patrick to make Nationwide debut at Fontana? UPDATE2 maybe Daytona? After Danica Patrick announced she would supplement her IndyCar Series career by racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, informed sources said she will make her NASCAR debut at Auto Club Speedway in February. According to sources who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to officially speak on the matter, Patrick will race for JR Motorsports at the Feb. 20 Nationwide Staters Bros. 300 at the Fontana track. Her full Nationwide schedule is expected to be released in a news conference next week. "We have not heard anything," said David Talley, director of communications for the speedway. "I know our race fits into the window of racing before and after the IndyCar Series. If Patrick does race stock cars at Auto Club Speedway, it will mark her second appearance on the 2-mile speedway. In her rookie IndyCar season in 2005, she finished 18th in the Toyota Indy 400 after qualifying fourth.(Los Angeles Daily News)(12-10-2009)
UPDATE: Kelley Earnhardt of JR Motorsports announced Thursday that Danica Patrick's first NASCAR Nationwide Series race is scheduled to be at Auto Club Speedway in the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy. Patrick's second scheduled race is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Patrick is expected to run approximately 13 races, but the full schedule has not been determined.(SPEED's press conference coverage)(12-17-2009)
UPDATE2 - Daytona still possible: Her NASCAR debut is very much in doubt, but Danica Patrick and JR Motorsports made it official she will race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and the following week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Her GoDaddy.com-sponsored Chevrolet will have points from a year ago, which means she will not need to qualify. Patrick's first NASCAR race could be the Nationwide race at Daytona. Team co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick, however, will allow her to make that call following an ARCA race earlier on the high-banked track. "The race is basically a Cup race. Some 30-odd drivers from (Sprint) Cup running that race, and is that the right time for me to start or not? I'm really not sure," Patrick said Thursday at the JR Motorsports press conference in Mooresville, N.C. "You only get one grand opening, as I've heard. We want it to be the right opportunity. We don't want to overcommit and under-deliver."
"Daytona is just a beast," co-owner Kelley Earnhardt and general manager said. "As she alluded to, the experience of 30-some Cup drivers out there against what experience she is going to have. Is that a situation she wants to put herself into? It's a do-or-die. Do we want to put that to be her first entry point coming into NASCAR? You're always remembered by it. Dale Jr., his first Daytona race in 1998, he was upside down on his roof."(Inland Valley Inland Bulletin)(12-18-2009)

Danica tests with JR Motorsports: According to a photo posted on Dale Earnhardt, Jr's Facebook page, Danica Patrick tested a JR Motorsports Chevy at Walt Disney World Speedway on Friday.(12-13-2009)

More Danica details: It doesn't get better than this for the Nationwide Series. A league that has become Cup Lite, a glorified practice session for Cup drivers, now becomes Patrick's testing ground for the events she enters. It's all part of a master plan. She will make her stock car debut in the ARCA race at Daytona on Feb. 6, the day before she appears in two GoDaddy.com commercials during the Super Bowl. GoDaddy.com CEO Bob Parsons is investing millions here, including the two-year deal to sponsor the #5 Cup car of Mark Martin. The plan is obvious. Martin drives two more years, then hands over the 5 car to Patrick in 2012. "Just thinking about that makes my eyes twinkle," Parsons said Tuesday. "But we'll see how it goes and look at it when we get to that point." If Patrick flops in Nationwide, that point never may arrive. If she is competitive, NASCAR will have a cash cow for years to come. If not, NASCAR got a giant jolt of electricity from Patrick's presence, however brief.(ESPN.com)
AND: Danica Patrick is going Nationwide Series racing next year, and there really is only one main reason people go Nationwide Series racing - to get ready to go Sprint Cup racing. But for both the Izod IndyCar Series driver and for JR Motorsports, the team she will drive for, that's talk for down the road, and the first step is to be successful over the next two seasons with Patrick running a partial Nationwide Series schedule along with a full IndyCar schedule. Her number of Nationwide races was not announced Tuesday when Patrick's plans were formally announced, but it likely will be a dozen or fewer each year because of the IndyCar schedule, which has 17 races in 2010. Whether 20-30 races over two years would be enough to get her ready for a Cup schedule is questionable as Patrick - a 27-year-old with one career victory and a fifth-place finish in the IndyCar Series last year - embarks on her NASCAR career. JR Motorsports, which opened in 2005, has not competed on the Cup level but has flirted with the possibility for the last few years. If Patrick does well, the sponsorship could come for the organization to make the jump with her.(SceneDaily)(12-8-2009)

Finally? Danica to announce Nationwide ride on Tuesday: UPDATE: Danica Patrick will announce on Tuesday in Phoenix her decision to drive a part-time Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports in 2010. ESPN.com reported last month that Patrick was in the final stages of negotiations with JRM to compete in about a dozen races in a #7 -- her number in IndyCar -- Chevy with GoDaddy.com as the sponsor. The source said that has not changed. The GoDaddy.com sponsorship will be only for the races in which Patrick drives, sources said. JRM continues to look for sponsors for the #88 that will be driven by Kelly Bires and any remaining races for the second car. When Patrick announced her three-year extension with Andretti Autosport last week in New York a picture appeared on her Web site with her in a NASCAR fire suit bearing a JRM and other NASCAR-related logos. It quickly was removed [see the image - click here]. The plan is to enter Patrick in the ARCA Series opener in February at Daytona International Speedway and get her approved by NASCAR for the Nationwide [Daytona] race. ARCA owner Bobby Gerhart recently was contacted about putting Patrick in one of his cars for a Dec. 18-20 test at Daytona. He told ESPN.com on Monday he expected her to be in a car prepared by JR Motorsports at the test. "My gut feeling is I think she'll drive something out of Mooresville, N.C.,'' he said, referring to the location of JR. "That's what I'm hearing. It'll be that powerful of a program that that's the way it would go if that happens.''(ESPN.com and Associated Press)(12-7-2009)
AND GoDaddy.com reports that Go Daddy Girl Danica Patrick reveals her NASCAR future on the GoDaddy.com site on Dec. 8, 11:00am MT / 1:00 pm ET.
HEARING that Tony Stewart could be involved in this somehow, part car owner? (12-8-2009)
UPDATE: At last, the long-awaited announcement is official – Go Daddy is taking Danica Patrick to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010. Danica will drive the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in a partial Nationwide schedule next season, plus one ARCA race. The Go Daddy Girl will be racing as a member of the JR Motorsports (JRM) team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Rick Hendrick, Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury, Jr. through 2011. “It’s been a long time coming, but the stars finally aligned for me with Go Daddy and JRM,” Danica said just before making her announcement. “I have always said I love to drive, and if I could make it work to race in both IndyCar and NASCAR – with the right sponsor, like GoDaddy.com and the right team, like JRM – then I’d love to drive in NASCAR!” Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons introduced Danica today as she made it official with the unveiling of her new stock car in front of fans and media outside Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Parsons and the Go Daddy Girl driver were flanked by the brand new bright green #7 GoDaddy.com Nationwide Chevy and the equally distinctive 2010 IndyCar at today’s news conference. Go Daddy is leveraging its existing relationship with Earnhardt, Jr. who has also driven for Go Daddy in the Nationwide Series and will continue to work as a Go Daddy spokesperson. Danica’s NASCAR races would take place before, after and in between her IndyCar schedule. Michael Andretti, owner of Danica’s IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport, addressed that issue. “Danica and I are both working hard for a win at the Indianapolis 500 – keeping the race schedules separate will help keep her focused,” Andretti said. (GoDaddy.com PR), It was also announced that Tony Eury, Jr. would be her crew chief. See an image of the car on the #7 Nationwide Series paint scheme page.(12-8-2009)

Earnhardt says Danica talks still ongoing: Negotiations to bring Danica Patrick to NASCAR are ongoing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s race team, but the driver said he has not participated in the talks and isn't certain she will drive for his Nationwide Series team. JR Motorsports is co-owned by Earnhardt and Rick Hendrick, and both said the Patrick talks are being handled by Earnhardt's sister, Kelley. Earnhardt announced Thursday that Kelley Earnhardt and his cousin, Tony Eury Jr., have been given ownership stakes in the organization. Kelley Earnhardt has been the driving force in the team's bid to bring Patrick to a part-time NASCAR ride. "It's still sort of in the negotiation stages," he said. "Her and my sister are, I guess, managing that entirely. I have not been in any way, shape, or form involved." Asked what the odds are of Patrick signing a deal, Earnhardt didn't pick a number. "She's going to drive stock cars for somebody, someday," Earnhardt said. "It's just too much of a -- look at all the Formula One guys over here checking (NASCAR) out -- the writing is on the wall for her and several other guys. I think it's exciting. She would be great for our sport. She wants to see what's up."(Associated Press)(12-4-2009)

Danica doesn't have to enter Daytona ARCA race to test: Several sources have made a big deal about the fact that Danica hasn't filed an entry for ARCA testing at Daytona International Speedway December 18, 19 and 20, intimating that since she hasn't registered for the test, she won't test, and if she won't test she can't run the Daytona ARCA race in February, and if she doesn't run the ARCA race, NASCAR won't approve her to run the NASCAR Nationwide race a few days later. Don Radebaugh, longtime ARCA public relations director, says that Danica doesn't have to file any sort of advance notice for the test. She can enter "the same day. There is no deadline." As for what car she would drive, there are already at least seven cars entered with "TBA" under the driver's name. Another source suggests Patrick will participate in a "secret" Daytona test before the end of the year. At the moment, Daytona has no such test on the books. If she tests at Daytona, it will likely be with ARCA. Can she race the ARCA race in February, without testing? "We do not take a position on that matter until we have an official entry," Radebaugh says. Certainly Danica has experience on big speedways, but not in stock cars. Both NASCAR and ARCA have long made it clear that Daytona drivers need to have drafting experience on a superspeedway in stock cars before they can race. So even if Danica did have a private test, she would need to learn drafting in a pack of cars, and the ARCA test will be the only opportunity for that.(Orlando Sentinel)(12-4-2009)

Danica to make some sort of announcement UPDATE 3 and NNS suit image added: no idea what exactly it means, but GoDaddy.com, mentions on their webiste godaddy.com to check back on Monday, November 30th for a BIG announcement WITH Danica Patrick.(11-26-2009)
UPDATE: looks like the announcement will happen on ABC's Good Morning America. Also hearing that Patrick is entered in the ARCA race at Daytona in Februday.(11-29-2009)
UPDATE2: Danica Patrick signed a three-year deal with Andretti Autosport to remain with Go Daddy as Danica's primary IndyCar sponsor into 2012. Patrick originally signed with Go Daddy and Andretti's team in late 2006 and appeared in her first Go Daddy Super Bowl commercial the next year. At that time she was well-known as the first woman ever to lead during an Indianapolis 500 race. Since that time, Patrick won her first IndyCar race, as a Go Daddy Girl, in Japan, and starred as a Go Daddy Girl in the Most Watched Super Bowl commercial of 2009. The 2010 GoDaddy.com #7 car was officially unveiled before a national television audience of an estimated five million people this morning in New York City's Times Square. The sleek IndyCar should be easy to follow on the track next season given its bright green and orange Go Daddy design. At Danica's side for today's unveiling was Andretti Autosport team owner and legendary racer Michael Andretti, who served as Danica's race strategist last season. Meantime, rumors about Danica's racing future have had tongues wagging for months, but no confirmation on anything beyond IndyCar yet today.(GoDaddy.com)(11-30-2009)
UPDATE 3: Danica Patrick confirmed a sponsor deal to drive an IndyCar for the next three years on Monday -- and her plans to drive a part-time schedule for JR Motorsports in NASCAR's Nationwide Series in 2010 remain on track as well, a source close to Patrick said. That, according to the source, had to take place before she could finalize any plans in NASCAR. There was no mention on Good Morning America of her NASCAR plans, but the source said those could come within the next one to two weeks. The plan is to debut Patrick in the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway in February and earn approval from NASCAR to compete in the Daytona Nationwide race. Patrick is expected to run in 10 to 13 Nationwide events, with perhaps another ARCA race or two. The source said negotiations include putting Patrick in the #7 she drives in IndyCar and not the #5 that currently is the second car at JR Motorsports.(ESPN)
AND OOPS While IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick talked only about her non-NASCAR plans Monday morning, a photo on her Web site might have said more about her possible NASCAR plans than she did. The website had a picture of her as her Web site loaded that showed her in a GoDaddy.com uniform with a Chevrolet emblem and what appears to be a JR Motorsports logo and the Nationwide Series logo. The photo was later changed to her IndyCar Series uniform. The picture was small and only appeared on the screen for a few seconds. A representative of IMG, which represents Patrick, declined comment, and a JRM spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment (SceneDaily), many readers captured and sent the image, which is posted above.(11-30-2009)

Hendrick denies having a deal with Danica: Rick Hendrick said Sunday he has no deal to bring IndyCar superstar Danica Patrick to NASCAR, and there's no certainty she'll even be driving stock cars next season. "I just think that they are not even close to making a decision on whether to even do it this year or next year," Hendrick said of Patrick and her representatives at IMG. "You never know until it's done. You never know until it's signed. And anybody can change their mind. When you get down to the nitty gritty of any deal, it's always complicated. There can always be someone who comes back and says `I can't do it because of this.' So until it's done, it's not done. And that's the honest truth." Patrick is reportedly in the final stages of a contract that would partner her on a limited Nationwide Series schedule with JR Motorsports, the team owned by both Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. But speaking before Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway, Hendrick called the reports "premature" and insisted nothing is imminent. "I think everything is an option, and it's just too early to really comment on it," he said. "I can't give you anything concrete, because there isn't anything concrete right now. Nothing is imminent until it's signed. Too many things can happen." Hendrick, who just returned from a weeklong vacation in Israel, said there have been no new developments in talks with Patrick and that IndyCar remains her first priority. Existing contracts she has in that series could also complicate a potential venture into NASCAR. Patrick has said very little about her 2010 plans, including an apparent contract extension to stay with Andretti Green Racing. Part of that holdup is a pending change of team ownership, which is expected to be transferred solely to Michael Andretti.(in part from the Associated Press)(11-15-2009)

Danica to JR Motorsports? Maybe Not: Dale Earnhardt Jr. says a deal to put Danica Patrick in his Nationwide Series car isn't imminent, and even if it were, JR Motorsports wouldn't necessarily have the funding for the IndyCar Series' most popular driver. Multiple media outlets have reported in recent weeks that Patrick was on the verge of signing with JRM for a part-time Nationwide schedule next season while continuing to run the Indy Racing League. Patrick and JRM share a sponsor in GoDaddy.com, but Earnhardt says it doesn't make the deal a cinch. "We've had a relationship with GoDaddy, so that makes us look like a nice fit, but they're moving (next year), so we don't really have it anymore," Earnhardt said after Sprint Cup practice Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. "We're having to search around." JRM's #88 Chevy currently driven by Brad Keselowski is sponsored by GoDaddy.com, but the company will move to Cup next year to back the #5 Chevy of Mark Martin at Hendrick Motorsports, which has an alliance with JRM. Earnhardt says JRM has only "three-quarters to half a season" of sponsors for the #88 in 2010. Earnhardt says the lack of funding is what's driving JRM's interest in Patrick, who also has been pursued by Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing. Patrick also has met with Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing, and Earnhardt says he's talked to her along with Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick. Patrick lives in the Phoenix area, but offseason sponsor commitments are expected to keep her from attending Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500. "She's very interested in trying NASCAR, and a lot of people weren't sure whether she was serious or not, but she is serious," Earnhardt said. "There's a lot to learn there for her. She's got to get in the cars. She's got a lot of (stuff) to do before she ever takes the green flag for anything. But she's talked to a lot of people. I've spoken with her a couple of times just about the lifestyle and the difference in the series vs. what she does now." Besides GoDaddy, Patrick has sponsorship ties to Motorola's Boost Mobile brand and Tissot. Earnhardt believes she might be able to bring those companies to NASCAR, though without some TV advertising campaigns that could be considered risqué.(in part from the USA Today)(11-14-2009)

Gossage says Patrick needs to promote NASCAR: Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage believes Danica Patrick needs to take advantage of her entry into NASCAR by doing more to promote her involvement. "She needs to understand that she has to take an active role in the promotion of the sport," Gossage said Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. "If I were one of her advisors, I would encourage her to do a lot more." Patrick is close to reaching an agreement to drive a partial Nationwide Series schedule next season for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports team, while she continues to race full time in the IndyCar Series. Gossage wants to see Patrick make the most of her NASCAR debut by helping track promoters, sponsors and NASCAR take advantage of her mainstream celebrity status. "That's something that I don't think some people around her in Indy car emphasize to her as much as they should," Gossage said. "I think people in NASCAR will encourage her to take a more active role."(ESPN)(11-6-2009)

No Danica at Phoenix UPDATE but Daytona? Don't look for Danica Patrick to make her first NASCAR Nationwide Series start in the #5 JR Motorsports car at Phoenix International Raceway in two weeks, according to NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. When asked before Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Talladega if Patrick, who has signed to stay in the IndyCar Series with team owner Michael Andretti, would make her first NASCAR start near her Scottsdale, Ariz., home, his answer was short and simple. "No," Hendrick said. "That's not going to happen."
According to sources within the NASCAR garage area, Patrick's asking price to compete in Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series races is $300,000 per race. If she were to run a truck race and a Nationwide race on the same weekend, the price is $600,000. Even with the sheer amount of publicity that Patrick would bring to NASCAR, team owners don't appear interested in paying that price.(Sports Illustrated)(11-4-2009)
UPDATE: Danica Patrick is nearing completion of a two-year contract with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and a source close to the negotiations described them as "in the final phase." The partnership is expected to make its on-track debut during next February's Daytona Speedweeks. Both the Patrick and Earnhardt camps declined comment. Patrick will compete in NASCAR's second-largest series for JR Motorsports while continuing to race full-time for Andretti Green Racing in IndyCar. Earnhardt and Patrick already have a corporate connection, in current sponsorship deals with GoDaddy.com. The Web site registration service is a sponsor on JR Motorsports' #88 Chevy, which has been earned four Nationwide Series wins this season with Brad Keselowski at the wheel. Keselowski is leaving the team at season's end to drive for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. GoDaddy.co, also recently signed on to sponsor Hendrick's #5 Chevy beginning in 2010. That car is currently driven by Mark Martin, who is signed through 2011.(ESPN)(11-4-2009)

Danica and JR Motorsports/MWR? ESPN.com has confirmed that IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick is talking with JR Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing about running a limited schedule of about eight Nationwide Series races -- plus a few Truck and maybe ARCA events -- in 2010. Kevin Harvick Inc. could be a player. But sources say those aren't the only options as Patrick begins preparing for a potential NASCAR career after her IndyCar career is over.(see more at ESPN Insiders)(10-21-2009)

Danica Patrick Special Airs Sunday on ESPN: A star of the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series since 2005, Danica Patrick may be making a move to NASCAR in 2010. Racing fans can learn more about the Roscoe, Ill., native in the Peak Performance Fast World of Danica Patrick, a 30-minute special program airing Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:30pm/et on ESPN. The program is an in-depth look at Patrick during the recently-completed IndyCar Series season, as told by her, and examines her life away from the racetrack.(ESPN)(10-17-2009)

Roush doesn't think Danica's part time plan will work: Roush Fenway Racing offered Danica Patrick, whose introduction to NASCAR was a Ford Racing test several years ago, an opportunity to run NASCAR when her Indy Racing League contract was up three years ago and have entertained her as a guest at Sprint Cup races. But co-owner Jack Roush isn't interested in Patrick if she remains in IndyCar — which apparently is a condition for any NASCAR team interested in signing her. "She'd like to drive her IRL car and on off weekends come drive a Nationwide or Sprint (Cup) car, and that's not going to work," Roush said Tuesday at RFR headquarters. "Those of us who understand how difficult this business is know that. This is really, really, really, really hard to do. She may be able to do it or she may not. I hope that she can, but she certainly won't be able to do it with distractions or a minimized effort. If she wants to do this, she'd need to come in with all her heart and soul and commitment and make that determination of what was possible. I'm not sure it's possible. It's potentially possible, but I'm stopped short of saying it's likely that she can do this, based on what she's done. She's talked to us a couple of different times, and there was no timetable on getting back to us. I told her if she wanted to do this, she should do a Nationwide or truck program first with great enthusiasm and then she should reconsider and take stock of things and decide what the timetable should be for a full Cup program. As long as she's got an interest in running the IRL with priority in her schedule, she doesn't have the time for a concerted effort. And without that, she will not be successful."(USA Today)(10-14-2009)

Latest on Danica: Michael Waltrip Racing is interested in Danica Patrick and while she has a connection through her sponsor GoDaddy.com to JR Motorsports, talks with MWR have progressed to a point where team believes it has a shot. MWR vice president and general manager Ty Norris said Sunday he met with Patrick a couple of months ago and has talked to her people in the last week about a possible partial Nationwide program for next year. He said MWR might be able to offer her more manufacturer support, focus more on her development and also has room under the four-team Sprint Cup cap other than some of the other teams with which she has talked. Patrick wants a car that has points so she wouldn't have to qualify on speed, said Norris, who has talked with Patrick's representatives in the last week. MWR's Nationwide program has been a mix of drivers in recent years. "In recent weeks, I would say the discussions have become a little bit more detailed and intense to where you're talking about ifs, ands and buts," Norris said. "When you get to that level, you try to figure out what are the next steps, if there are next steps. Any owner of a Nationwide team or a Cup team with a racing operation would love to have Danica there after you talk to her because of her passion to race." Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday his JR Motorsports team has talked with her. Roush Fenway Racing officials have said they have talked with her but the talks fizzled over what it would take financially to build a program around her. Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs said Sunday that it would be hard for his team to put her in a car for next year because it would likely need to be a third car.(SceneDaily)(10-12-2009)

Earnhardt Jr. hopes to sign Danica: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday he has the utmost respect for Danica Patrick, the driver he hopes to sign to race a few Nationwide Series events next season for his JR Motorsports team. "I like Danica a lot," Earnhardt said. "I consider myself friends with her. It's interesting to see her interest in NASCAR. It's interesting for all of us. If we're a piece of that and we play a part in that, we'll have to see going down the road." Earnhardt said it is all in the hands of his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, his business manager. "Kelley's been managing the conversations between Danica and our team," Earnhardt said. "It's still in the early stages. I haven't really gotten in the middle of it." JR Motorsports is trying to reach a deal for Patrick to drive in eight to 10 Nationwide races next year. She is expected to continue to race full-time in the IndyCar Series for Andretti Green Racing.(ESPN.com)(10-10-2009)

Danica asking for $8 million? UPDATE: Is Danica Patrick asking for $8 million to run eight Nationwide Series races in 2010? The simple answer: Nobody has confirmed that to ESPN.com. If that is the case, unless GoDaddy.com or another sponsor is willing to step up to the plate at a time when most sponsors are stepping away, the IndyCar Series star may have a tough time finalizing a deal. There are teams that run an entire Nationwide schedule on $8 million.(read more at ESPN Insider)(10-9-2009)
UPDATE: Forget Danica Patrick making $1 million a race if and when she begins driving in NASCAR's Nationwide Series in 2010. She likely won't make $100,000. The IndyCar Series darling in all likelihood will make around $50,000 a race. Sources close to the situation confirmed to ESPN.com that the rumored/reported $8 million Patrick would make for running about eight Nationwide events was completely false.(ESPN Insider)(10-9-2009)

Danica talking to Hendrick about NASCAR ride UPDATE 2 MWR?: Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., may soon be involved in a limited NASCAR arrangement, NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick confirmed to SI.com. The other side of the Patrick puzzle may soon fall into place as Hendrick said Sunday afternoon that Patrick's agent at IMG has met with the team about a limited schedule of ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series races to go along with the IndyCar Series contract she signed to remain at Andretti Green Racing. According to Hendrick, the plan would be to put Patrick in the JR Motorsports team that is owned by Hendrick driver Earnhardt, Jr. with sponsorship from 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. GoDaddy.com would be involved because of their involvement with Danica and with JR Motorsports. Kelley talked to her in the last week. We are looking at how it matches up with her IndyCar schedule. We are interested and think it would be neat but it has to work out for both sides." Patrick signed a three-year IndyCar Series contract with team owner Michael Andretti two weeks ago but has remained quiet on that subject because of sponsor demands who want to have a major press conference to announce the signing. According to IndyCar Series sources, one of Patrick's sponsor contracts in IndyCar is about to expire so that announcement will not be made until the sponsor is ready to make the announcement. "She has signed the contract, they just want to make sure the sponsor is ready to make the announcement," said an IndyCar Series official Saturday afternoon. While details of Patrick's new contract have not been disclosed, Andretti indicated there are limits to how much racing she can do outside of IndyCar. Andretti wants his high-paid driver to focus on what he signed her to do -- try to become the first female driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series title. So if Patrick signs with JR Motorsports or another team, look for her to run in fewer than 10 stock car events next season. In fact, five races next season would probably be a nice, logical step for her before she attempts to increase that schedule in 2011, if she likes the progress she is making.(SI.com)(10-5-2009)
UPDATE: 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." Elledge said Patrick would split time with Earnhardt and several other drivers in the #5. Kelly Bires recently was signed to replace Brad Keselowski in the #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."(ESPN.com)(10-6-2009)
UPDATE 2: 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 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." 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.(ESPN.com)(10-6-2009)

Danica signed to stay in IRL? UPDATE no comment: Danica Patrick refused Wednesday to confirm widespread reports that she's agreed to a three-year extension of her IndyCar contract with Andretti Green Racing. Asked specifically about the extension, Patrick simply shook her head, not saying a word. Patrick is considered the biggest draw in the IRL, and her interest in moving to NASCAR has been speculated on numerous times in recent years. She has a close relationship with Tony Stewart, and he has said Patrick will eventually make the jump he did - from IndyCar to stock cars. IRL officials have not commented about Patrick's future. Patrick was at Homestead-Miami Speedway with several other drivers Wednesday to test for the IndyCar finale Oct. 10. Earlier this season, Patrick insisted she wouldn't announce anything about her future until after this IRL season concludes.(in part from the Associated Press)(10-2-2009)
UPDATE: Danica Patrick was in Indianapolis on Friday, but she didn't comment on her future as a race car driver. When asked about signing a contract to remain in the IndyCar Series with Andretti Green Racing or continuing to pursue options in NASCAR, Patrick offered nothing but a blank stare. "I'm going to answer for her," a senior official from AirTran Airways said at the promotional gathering. But, despite breaking the tension, he also did not answer the question. Patrick's assignment Friday was to give two-seater Indy-car rides to a host of contest winners. Andretti Green Racing and IndyCar Series sources have told The Star that Patrick signed a new contract two weeks ago. Andretti did not deny the signing but said the document was still in the hands of lawyers.(Indianapolis Star)(10-4-2009)

Danica staying in Indy Car: Danica Patrick is now, officially, staying in the IndyCar Series. Patrick signed a three-year contract to remain with Andretti Green Racing during last weekend's event at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. She will continue to drive the #7 car with a Motorola-based sponsorship. Patrick could not be reached for comment Thursday night, but it is believed she has not resolved her options for driving a stock car in the future. Tony Stewart told reporters during last week's Sprint Cup Series race in Loudon, N.H., that he has "not made an offer'' to Patrick.(Indianapolis Star)(9-25-2009)

Stewart has not made Danica an offer: on Thursday's Dan Patrick Show, #14-Tony Stewart discussed the upcoming Chase for the Cup and the possibility he'll ask Danica Patrick to join his team next year. Here are some of his takes ...
-- Dan asked Stewart if he's going to hire Danica Patrick next season.
"I have not made her an offer," Stewart said. "The one thing I have done is spend some time talking to her." Stewart said that the two of them have evaluated how it would work. He thinks she should start in the Nationwide series instead of Sprint. But Stewart said they don't have a Truck Series of Nationwide Series team, so that might be a problem. See more and listen to more at the Dan Patrick Show site.(9-19-2009)

Danica to NASCAR in 2010 but not leaving IRL: Danica Patrick will "all but certainly" be in NASCAR in 2010, but won't give up Indy car racing and will limit next year's activity to the Nationwide Series and Trucks, according to a source very close to the situation. Tony Stewart is the "star candidate" to be her partner and mentor in NASCAR, the source said, adding that Patrick's recent visits to Stewart-Haas Racing were much more than social -- that she and Stewart were discussing a deal, and are close to one. The plan is for Patrick to run a significant number of Nationwide races, with additional seat time in Trucks and ARCA cars. Stewart took a similar transitional path to NASCAR in 1998, running a full Indy car schedule and also 22 Nationwide (then Busch) races. Patrick's likeliest first stock car race would be the ARCA event at Daytona during SpeedWeeks next February. Because Stewart's team has neither Nationwide cars nor trucks in its stable, a third partner will be brought into the mix, the source said -- possibly Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports, or, more likely, Kevin Harvick Inc., which fields both Trucks and Nationwide cars. Patrick is close to signing a contract renewal with Andretti Green Racing for Indy cars, the source said, but it's not a done deal yet. Sponsorship is not considered an issue for America's top female driver, and the first car manufacturer to sign Patrick to a NASCAR deal would get a big boost in brand exposure.(ESPN)(9-6-2009)

Another visit to SHR by Danica? UPDATE: Lucky timing for several race fans who got a surprise at Stewart Hass Racing on Monday afternoon. As they witnessed Tony Stewart giving Danica Patrick a personal tour of Stewart Hass Racing. It's at least her second visit to SHR.(9-2-2009)
UPDATE: After Danica Patrick made a second visit to his race shop earlier this week, talking with reporters at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart left little doubt NASCAR racing is in her future. "I know that she's serious about it. I know that's what she wants to do." The two-time Sprint Cup Champion added, "I don't think she has some misguided idea that it's going to be easy to do it. She wants to do it the right way. She has the intentions of doing everything right and she's kind of come to us to see our opinion about how she should go about it." Stewart also made it clear, he doesn't see Patrick leaving the Indy Racing League in the short term, "I think she wants to know how to make the transition I think more than anything and she's trying to put together her IRL deal and try to transition that into NASCAR. So, I think she's trying to do it the right way. She's not just cutting the cord and then all of sudden jumping in a car that she's unfamiliar with. She wants to stay successful where she's at, but at the same time try to figure out a way to be able to drive and get some seat time in a car to where she can start learning to where when she does come out that she's got her act together. I think she really wants to do it. It's just trying to figure out the time frame and what steps should she take to do it right and to show everybody that she wants to do it the right way."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(9-5-2009)

IRL directly involved to keep Danica: The IRL is taking a hands-on approach to keep Danica Patrick. Series officials have talked directly with her representatives at IMG in an effort to keep racing's glamour girl with the IRL and prevent a jump to NASCAR after this season. "We think it's very important," said Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL's commercial division. "We have worked hard and closely with IMG to hopefully give them confidence in the future of our series and her role in the future of our series. Those conversations have gone very well. I think we're looking pretty good. ... We feel good about it. We hope it's all going to come together." Patrick's three-year contract with Andretti Green Racing expires at the end of the season, and although she has indicated she plans to stay put, she sidestepped questions about her future before the race at Chicagoland Speedway.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(8-30-2009)

Andretti says he is close to re-signing Danica UPDATE2: Thursday, Michael Andretti confirmed a split with Andretti Green Racing co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. They will own and operate the organization's promotional company, currently known as Andretti Green Promotions. Andretti plans to maintain a four-car IndyCar Series team and said he expects to retain popular star Danica Patrick. "Getting close," he said of negotiations. "We've been back and forth a lot, but they want it and we want it. We're just going through the particulars right now. I'm happy with the way things are going." An announcement could come as early as next week. Her car's sponsor, Motorola, is based in Schaumburg, Ill., near Chicagoland Speedway, site of the Aug. 29 race. Patrick's three-year contract expires at the end of the season, which has four races left.(Indianapolis Star)(8-21-2009)
UPDATE: It appears Danica Patrick is leaning strongly toward staying in the IndyCar Series now that Michael Andretti is in the process of taking full control of ownership at Andretti Green Racing (AGR). "I think it's looking a bit like I'm returning," Patrick said in a private interview with SI.com on Friday. "I'm not done. We are still working through some things, but it's looking like that. It is moving along very positively."(Sports Illustrated)(8-22-2009)
UPDATE 2: Danica Patrick pretty much confirmed Saturday that not only was she staying in the Indy Racing League, she's also staying put at Andretti Green Racing. Just two days after Michael Andretti announced he was taking charge of the racing team Patrick has been with since 2007, IndyCar's biggest star acknowledged she was happy with the changes and wants to be part of solution. "Every team has its pitfalls and people who are difficult but I like some of the changes being made for this team and that's good for me," said Patrick, who is fifth in the point standings and having her best season with Andretti calling her strategy. This is a great team and it's won a lot of races and there's no reason to think we can't do it again. Michael has so much passion and is such a good leader. My deal isn't finalized but things are going well and clearly moving forward and that's good." Andretti said he was getting close to re-signing Patrick and happy with the progress. It's assumed the new deal will be announced this week at Chicago, the home of Motorola and where IndyCar races Saturday night in Joliet. Asked about the possibilities of switching to NASCAR, Patrick said: "I think at the end of the day, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know."(SPEEDtv)(8-23-2009)

Ganassi: Danica should stay in the IRL: Chip Ganassi doesn't believe Danica Patrick should leave the IndyCar Series after this season to pursue a full-time ride in NASCAR. "Her IndyCar career, she's about to make a step in that career if she decides to stay there," Ganassi said before Friday's Sprint Cup practice for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "She's got one more step to make, and that's it. As much as I love what's going on here this weekend, my counsel to her is she's pretty close to making that last step in IndyCar racing and she could easily do that in the next three or four or five years and still be able to do this." Ganassi owns five teams between the IndyCar and Sprint Cup series, having won the Indianapolis 500 three times. He acknowledged talking to Patrick -- whose contract with Andretti Green expires after this season -- about driving for him in IndyCar. "If she wanted to do NASCAR on a full-time basis I would suggest there are better places for her to go and do it with [than Earnhardt Ganassi Racing]," said Ganassi, who is returning to the track for the first time in a month after undergoing eye surgery. "I don't think our team is in position to do that." There has been speculation that Patrick could compete in a handful of Nationwide or Cup events after the IndyCar season. EGR does not have a full-time Nationwide program, which many believe Patrick must compete in for a year or two before making the move to Cup. Ganassi characterized his talks with Patrick, who finished fourth in the Indianapolis 500 two months ago, as being on the pace lap level. "She's on the market right now and she's ready to make the next step in her career, wherever that takes her," he said. "I wish I could tell you I'm a lot further down the road on that. The fact of the matter is, like most of the other teams, we're in the top of the first inning on that."(ESPN)(7-25-2009)

Danica says no to F1 try: During a visit to Los Angeles to attend the ESPY Awards, Danica Patrick also talked about her recent visit to Tony Stewart's NASCAR shop, the prospects of her moving to the Formula One series and other topics in a question-and-answer session: Have you at least narrowed down the series where you would drive next year? "I'd say it's probably not F1." You don't have any interest in this new U.S. team being formed for F1? "Not really, and the fact that to my knowledge they've never called. I've had opportunities to take it a step further with Formula One, and I don't want to lead anyone down a path. It's not in my heart to go there. I've explored Europe before. I particularly like to be here and I like my family and I like my friends and I like my creature comforts of my home country."(Los Angeles Times)(7-20-2009)

Danica visits Stewart Haas: UPDATE2: IRL star Danica Patrick was at Stewart Haas racing today on a personal shop tour, she even went into the fan zone and signed autographs for a bunch of surprised fans who were visiting the shop.(7-13-2009)
UPDATE: Patrick was a guest of team owner Tony Stewart last fall at Phoenix. But the two-time Cup champion was not available to be a guide Monday because he was at a Goodyear tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway. According to sources, Patrick was introduced to Ryan Newman, crew chief Tony Gibson, General Manager Bobby Hutchens and engineer Matt Borland. The tour included stops in the fabrication shop and a look at the seven-post shaker rig.(FoxSports)(7-14-2009)
AND: SHR isn't the only place [Danica Patrick] visited during a daylong skip-hop in Charlotte. She went to Roush Fenway. She went to Michael Waltrip Racing and Richard Childress Racing, too. And her day began at Joe Gibbs Racing.(ESPN)(7-18-2009)