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)
