Barry Taylor/WireImage.com
Danica Patrick's father says she could be leaving IRL for NASCAR as soon as next season.
Posted on 07/10/2006 11:15:28 AM PDT by Warren_Piece
JOLIET, Ill. -- Danica Patrick's father is exploring the possibility of the popular Indy Racing League driver moving to NASCAR as soon as next year, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday.
The Sentinel reported that T.J. Patrick, who has managed Danica Patrick's career since childhood, was in exploratory talks with some NASCAR teams at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.
"I'm trying to get her here [into NASCAR]," T.J. Patrick told the Sentinel.
T.J. and Bev Patrick, who formerly lived in Roscoe, Ill., attended NASCAR's USG Sheetrock 400 because "we've had some inquiries" from NASCAR teams, T.J. Patrick told the newspaper.
The Sentinel reported the couple was in the Nextel Cup garage area as guests of Roush Racing, which fields drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray and runs Fords on the Nextel Cup circuit.
Danica Patrick's contract with Rahal-Letterman Racing team ends after this season and the Patricks are negotiating with other IRL teams as well as NASCAR teams, the Sentinel reported. The newspaper said team co-owner Bobby Rahal declined comment through a spokesman.
Patrick, who became IRL's most recognizable driver by leading part of the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and finishing fourth, has yet to enjoy similar success in 2006, as Rahal-Letterman has endured a frustrating season.
Rahal-Letterman, which enjoyed a power advantage by running Honda engines in 2005, lost that advantage when the entire league shifted to Hondas for 2006. It was the last team to use a Panoz chassis and struggled to adjust when it finally switched to a Dallara, used by every other team in IRL, after the Indy 500. And the team lost one of its drivers when Paul Dana was killed during practice before the IRL's season-opening race in Homestead, Fla.
Well, she's got some driving skill, and more and more drivers are making the jump from open-wheel to NASCAR. If she and Juan Carlos Montoya both enter NASCAR in 2007-2008, it'll be interesting.
I wonder how she'll do physically compared to the male drivers. The G's are probably worse in the Indy cars, but those stockers are ovens in the summer. Ideally I'd like to see her run Craftsman Trucks for a while first.
}:-)4
First Juan Pablo Montoya and now Danica Patrick. Who will be the next to leave open wheels?
I'm just here for the underwear pictures. Be back in a while... :)
NASCAR = bigger cars = slower cars = bigger decals = more sponsers.
Juan Pablo Montoya is racing Formula One. He didn't leave open wheel racing, he just drives a better car now.
she's too pretty to drive stock car
Montoya is going to the #42 Texaco ride next year, full season.
she should never wear those sunglasses again.. :\
Great!! Now she can get 9th in nascar
also = more exciting.
Juan Pablo Montoya leaving Formula 1 for NASCAR
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/10/juan-pablo-montoya-leaving-formula-1-for-nascar/
I hadn't heard that, I thought we was staying with Williams BMW.
I think people say that about Jeff, but he won yesterday.... heh heh
It's all about the money.
And now she's moved her moneymaker over to NASCAR.
You nailed it!
I guess the weight advantage would be far less important in Nascar, assuming she really is gaining an advantage in IRL due to her weight.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.