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.com)(8-24-2011)
