Speculation that Danica Patrick could be headed to NASCAR is heating up once again because she is in the final year of her contract with Andretti Green Racing of the IRL. In a recent story published in the New York Times, Patrick didn’t deny there could be an interest in the Sprint Cup Series. “I’m very flattered everyone is curious,” Patrick was quoted. “It’s interesting to me as well. Do I stay where I am? Do I try to change? It’s all about evaluating options, and I think that’s something any good business person does. One of the things I think of is the exposure level that you get in NASCAR with the ratings and viewership. Their numbers are so much larger than ours and with that comes a bigger following, comes more popularity, comes more demand for you to endorse other products. So I think it would be an exponential sort of growth.” Patrick said these things before when her last contract was up in 2006. Some would argue she used NASCAR as leverage for a better deal in the IRL, that she had no real intention of leaving, and that she is doing so again. Patrick does have ties with several of NASCAR’s top organizations. She drove in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Casey Mears for Richard Childress Racing. Roush Fenway Racing co-owner Jack Roush extended her an open invitation to join his organization the last time she explored options. To make the jump to NASCAR’s top series most agree Patrick would need at least a full schedule in the Nationwide Series, which she may consider a step backward. If she did transition to NASCAR, she likely would demand a top ride, and most of the top organizations don’t have an opening. But at the age of 27, this may be Patrick’s last legitimate shot to make the jump and have time to hone her skills in stock cars. Until she signs somewhere her name will remain a hot topic.(ESPN Insider)(5-7-2009)
