ESPN: Danica Patrick close to two-year NASCAR Nationwide deal
Rumors of IndyCar's Danica Patrick dipping a toe into the stock car racing pool have been swirling for months, but a new report suggests that an end to the rumors is near. ESPN says that Patrick is on the verge of signing a NASCAR Nationwide Series contract with JR Motorsports, the operation owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Unnamed sources that spoke to ESPN call the talks "near their final phase" and comment that it'd be a "surprise if it didn't happen." In any case, don't expect a formal announcement until sometime after the Sprint Cup chase draws to a conclusion on November 22.
The potential move to JR Motorsports was made possible when driver Brad Keslowski jumped ship to join Roger Penske's NASCAR Sprint Cup team. According to ESPN, Patrick is angling to drive the number 7 car (the same number she runs in IndyCar), which would replace the current JR Motorsports number 5 car. Since Danica will continue to run the full IndyCar schedule as well, she'd be a part-time driver for JR Motorsports, sharing the race car with Junior and another unnamed driver. If the signing happens and NASCAR gives its blessing, Danica will make her first stock car appearance in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race on Feb. 6 during the Daytona Speedweeks, and go on to drive in 12 to 13 Nationwide Series races during the 2010 season. Frankly, given NASCAR's feel for marketing and Danica's undeniable celebrity, we see no way that she won't be in place for a debut during the February Speedweeks, assuming she does indeed ink the rumored deal.
[Source: ESPN | Image: Robert Laberge/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FThorn 10:47AM (11/05/2009)
I wish her well.
I can't bring myself to find anything I like about her.
But, good luck DP
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MikeyZ06 10:54AM (11/05/2009)
One of the most overrated drivers of all time.
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Benfolio 10:55AM (11/05/2009)
But she has BOOBIES!
Jerry Hightower 11:00AM (11/05/2009)
I hope she does sign with NASCAR. She should do well as she's such a talented driver. Danica has more talent than a lot of the cup drivers. Other women have tried NASCAR and only been mildly successful. NASCAR needs her. I wish her well.
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Pat 10:59AM (11/05/2009)
Every comment will probably be a variation of one of these:
1) She's hot
2) She's not that hot
3) She's overrated
4) Nascar sucks
5) I like nascar
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Mayoman 11:05AM (11/05/2009)
That's pretty much the same for any comment in this site. just replace Danica and Nascar with whatever the article is about.
Galley 11:04AM (11/05/2009)
I vote #1, and #4.
leftlaneabuse 11:36AM (11/05/2009)
Mayoman- that's true with all sites like this.
Glock23 11:52AM (11/05/2009)
Mayoman: That's pretty much the case with our sound bite, text message, Youtube generation on any web forum.
shtooper 11:06AM (11/05/2009)
I hope she does better going in circles.
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Commander Cool 11:23AM (11/05/2009)
She will. She does better on the circle tracks that Indy races on. She'll also do well because NASCAR doesn't require as much talented driving as anything without fenders.
My_SS_RX8 12:05PM (11/05/2009)
NASCAR is pretty heavy on the testosterone competition. She's gonna get pushed and tested real hard the first few times out and bumped, crowded and spun a few times just to see if she really has the good ole boys right stuff. It will be a kind of "aw shucks" we was just funnin her.
montoym 1:13PM (11/05/2009)
Rubbin's Racin'
Will be interesting to see her temper come out if/when she gets spun out like that, especially if it's between her and Tony Stewart. Could be interesting.
Man, typing that, I've really come to realize how much Nascar has become like professional wrestling. We just watch for the crashes and fights between competitors.
I actually used to watch Nascar somewhat often, but once Earnhardt died, I basically completely stopped caring anymore. I just catch bits and pieces here and there.
eye.surgeon 11:21AM (11/05/2009)
Another vote for #1 and #4. Come on it's NASCAR. It's racing in a big circle. I find most forms of motor racing a total bore, but this is the biggest bore of them all. She is hot though.
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Howard H. 11:42AM (11/05/2009)
I hope she does well. I hope she will end in in a sprint cup car.
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Glock23 11:54AM (11/05/2009)
I'm sure you find any food beyond mac&cheese and chicken nuggets "boring" as well.
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Thipps 3:26PM (11/05/2009)
DP is not talented enough to win in the cup.
also i am so sick of people talking about how Nascar and any circle track racing. my question for those who think that they suck is
what do you enjoy about racing? I bet its the battles on the track between drivers. now you have to ask yourself if f1 or indy or endurance racing has better battles on the track than Circle track racing. i bet you will find its not.
people who actually love racing like myself respect nascar for what it is. people who love racing will enjoy just about anything that has to do with it.
but jump on the bandwagon and act like you love F1 and talk down to us "lesser foke"
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STx_4x4 1:06PM (11/05/2009)
This will be great news for NASCAR fans!
Now they can finally openly admit to being in love with their favorite driver!
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dukeisduke 12:51PM (11/05/2009)
I wish she'd stick with IndyCar. She's had a third at Indy this year, so why doesn't she persevere there, and actually get some wins? Somehow, I have a feeling it's about the money.
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RX-8 3:42PM (11/05/2009)
She is staying in Indy for at least 3 more years, she just extended her contract. She is racing NASCAR part time. Indy only races 17 races a year, which is less than half the number of race NASCAR does. Plus there is a ban on testing in the IRL so she has a lot of free time. And I heard that she will be making about 300 grand a race. Rip on NASCAR all you want but who wouldnt do that for the money.