Not long ago, Danica Patrick confirmed that she would again run the full
2010 season in the IndyCar Series after having signed a contract with
Andretti Autosport. However, there still was the question to whether or not
she would test the waters in NASCAR next year. The answer came today with
her sponsor Go Daddy and JR Motorsports.
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Go Daddy girl Danica Patrick and GoDaddy.com CEO & Founder Bob Parsons with new GoDaddy.com cars. Photo by GoDaddy.com.
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"It's been a long time coming, but the stars finally aligned for me with Go
Daddy and JRM," Patrick said. "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!"
Running a limited schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series will allow the
diminutive racer to try her hand at the heavier stockcars versus the light
open-wheel car she drove to victory at Motegi, Japan in 2008.
Adding to her busy schedule, Patrick will also run at least one ARCA race in
2010. Her contract with JR Motorsports will run through 2011, giving her
ample time to later move up to the top rung of NASCAR: the Sprint Cup
Series.
When asked about future plans to run NASCAR events fulltime, Patrick
replied, "I mean, there's no real easy answer. The first step in this whole
process is to get out there and just get going. See how it goes, see if I
like the car. You know there really are no extended plans at this point.
It's to give it a try and hopefully be competitive and have fun. Then
beyond that we'll explore from there. But obviously being competitive is an
important element."
Kelley Earnhardt is one of the key co-owners of JRM, serving as Vice President
and General Manager. "One of the things JRM has to offer is proven NASCAR
experience," she said at today's announcement. "This is a team sport, and
our team will help Danica get up to speed quickly. She's slated to begin
working with our crew starting with the upcoming ARCA tests.
"From a JR Motorsports perspective, we're just really thrilled to be
partnered back with Go Daddy, and continue that relationship, and bring
Danica into NASCAR," added Earnhardt. "It will be what it is. We'll give her everything there
is to give and all the resources to get out there and do a good job. We'll
see what that looks like. But there certainly is pressure for all of us to
perform, no doubt."
Dale Earnhardt Jr., recently won the NMPA Most Popular Driver award for the
seventh time and the very popular lady racer might challenge for the honor
if added to his team. Yet for now, the team owner, along with his new co team owners
Rick Hendrick and Tony Eury Jr., were involved in the deal but allowed Bob
Parsons, CEO and founder of Go Daddy, Kelly Earnhardt and Patrick make the
official announcement.
"As Danica said, the stars aligned," said Parsons. "We're thrilled to expand
our long-standing relationship with Danica into NASCAR. This is not only big
news for NASCAR fans; it has all the ingredients for some major
GoDaddy-esque marketing magic."
Having an ace driver and a woman at that is a plus for NASCAR and when the
sanctioning body's CEO Bill France was asked about Patrick joining the
ranks, he commented: "She has a lot of talent and would be good for
NASCAR...I've told her that directly."
Patrick will join a list of 12 who have already broken into the
male-dominated Nationwide series. To this date, Patty Moise still holds the
record for the most starts at 133 with four top-10 finishes.
Kelly Earnhardt understands the sport with a woman's viewpoint. "Well, I
think that is what's really exciting about it, is the female aspect.
Obviously, there are lots of demographics in NASCAR. Females are the ones
who are buying products and taking care of the homes, and supporting a lot
of the brands that are in NASCAR. I'm excited about the young girls and
bringing them up as fans in the sport, and really just the power of women in
general. So they can look at somebody like Danica, or myself, and say, 'hey,
that's something I want to do'. They can see that it's feasible for it to be
done. I think that is what's really fun about it. The way the young females
can gravitate toward it and it can open up a door for people to become fans
of NASCAR motorsports."
When asked about her moving from her IndyCar into the No. 7 GoDaddy.com
Chevrolet during the racing season next year, Patrick commented: "I
think that's yet to be found. Hopefully it will be an easy
transition. I think one of the good things is that I've been to
most of those tracks in IndyCar now, other than the new ones on the
schedule, and probably will have a pretty good memory of how it's
supposed to feel. I think we have yet to find out, but as I said,
IndyCar is the priority and we'll make sure that I'm fully
prepared to do that and go from there."
Patrick's first race on February 6, 2010 in a stockcar will take place on
the 2.5-mile super speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. ARCA is a very
competitive series and will be a good challenge for her on the famous
tri-oval. It will be a learning experience, including making the "drafting"
adjustments.
"Obviously, Danica is coming over from another form of racing, and she
hasn't been in a stock car at any consistent level," Kelly Earnhardt said.
"So it's definitely going to be a challenge for her. But like she said
earlier, she believes in herself, and has the confidence and competitive
nature to get on the racetrack. I've driven before [and] I know what that's
like. I know the feelings that come with that."
