Danica Patrick to Juggle IndyCar and Nascar in 2010

One of the worst kept secrets in racing history was finally made public earlier this month. Danica Patrick is going stock car racing…sort of. After already signing a three-year extension with Andretti Autosport (formerly Andretti Green Racing), the Izod IndyCar Series’ most popular driver announced a part-time Nationwide and Arca series effort with JR Motorsports for next season.

“We've got the new IndyCar Go Daddy car for Andretti Autosport here," Patrick said in New York on November 30th, when she unveiled her 2010 IndyCar, with new primary sponsor GoDaddy.com. “Go Daddy has been part of our car for the last three years, but now we've got them as the primary sponsor. With these bright colors, you can't miss me,” she quipped.

Michael Andretti, who bought out partners Kim Green and Kevin Savory earlier this year, allowing them to run the promotion end of Andretti Autosport, was very happy to announce Patrick’s extension. “"All of us at Andretti Autosport are looking forward to having Danica back with the team and are excited about working with (Go Daddy CEO and Founder) Bob Parsons and everyone at Go Daddy as the primary sponsor on Danica's car,” said Andretti, who helped unveil the new livery. “Go Daddy brings a lot of energy to our team and to the IZOD IndyCar Series. We're very excited about the opportunity to work with them in 2010 and beyond.”

Only a week later, though, Patrick announced her Nascar plans with JR Motorsports, a Nationwide Series team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. In spite of the announcement, the races she will run are still uncertain. “We’re not 100 percent sure of all the details right now, but the primary focus is going to be before and after the IndyCar season,” she said.

With that idea as a benchmark, that leaves the middle of February through the middle of March, and then October onward for her to run Arca and Nationwide Series in what will also be a Go Daddy sponsored car (the No. 7 Chevrolet).

Kelley Earnhardt, Dale Jr.’s sister and co-owner of JR Motorsports, was excited about Patrick’s arrival. “As a female team owner, I’m very excited to have her on board,” she said.

When asked about why she would want to try stock car racing, Danica said that it was always something of interest and that it looked enjoyable. “Now, my curiosity is there and I'd like to just try it, and I'd like to see how I get on with the cars. I just think the racing looks fun. I enjoy IndyCar racing through and through, but I mostly enjoy the oval racing. I think that when you have wheel to wheel racing all day, it's challenging. Don't get me wrong, it's very stressful, but it's a lot of fun at the same time, and they have a lot of that. I think the racing looks fun.”

Even though she is branching out, Patrick’s main focus, for the time being, remains in IndyCars. “The goal will be we'll have to work [on] the programs to make sure that the IndyCar is still her main focus because, still, the main goal is to win Indianapolis and the championship with Danica,” said Michael Andretti. “And I think we have a good shot at it. We want to make sure that it still is going to be the main focus.”

“And to back up what Mike just said, that is the main focus,” Patrick added. “I've been lucky enough to come close a few times to winning the Indy 500, and that is a serious goal of mine. IndyCar is always going to be the focus, if the other series were to happen.”


Her first stock car race will be the Arca season open at Daytona International Speedway on February 6th.