IRL takes direct approach with Patrick

JOLIET, Ill. (AP)—The IRL is taking a hands-on approach to keep Danica Patrick.

Series officials have talked directly with her representatives at IMG in an effort to keep racing’s glamour girl with the IRL and prevent a jump to NASCAR after this season.

“We think it’s very important,” said Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL’s commercial division. “We have worked hard and closely with IMG to hopefully give them confidence in the future of our series and her role in the future of our series. Those conversations have gone very well. I think we’re looking pretty good. … We feel good about it. We hope it’s all going to come together.”

Patrick’s three-year contract with Andretti Green Racing expires at the end of the season, and although she has indicated she plans to stay put, she sidestepped questions about her future before the race at Chicagoland Speedway.

It’s easy to see why keeping her is a top priority for the IRL.

One of the most marketable stars, Patrick entered Saturday’s race fifth on the points list and had a season-high third-place finish at the Indy 500 that ranks as the best showing in that event by a woman.

Patrick told SI.com before last week’s race at Sonoma that “things are going well, and we are definitely moving forward so that is good” but would not discuss her future this week, repeatedly saying there were three races remaining. A switch to NASCAR could mean more salary, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, but the IRL is making a strong sales pitch.

“We really respect their role, respect the magnitude of this decision for her, and they’re going to do what’s best for her,” Angstadt said. “And we’ve respected that from Day 1. That’s why you try to present your property as effectively as you can, and you hope she makes the right decision.”

HELIO OK: X-rays on Helio Castroneves’ right ankle showed no structural damage after his No. 3 car hit the wall with 16 laps to go when a suspension part apparently broke, knocking him out of the race and dashing his shot at the points total. He was examined in the infield medical center and cleared to drive.

“We had a great race until that incident,” he said. “The Team Penske car was running very strong, but then we had an issue with our front suspension and I ended up hitting the wall. It’s unfortunate because we could have battled to the end there.”

Instead, teammate Ryan Briscoe beat out Scott Dixon by about a nose while maintaining his points lead.

DISAPPOINTED DANICA: Patrick wasn’t happy with her 12th-place finish and will look for more in the Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan in three weeks. She came away with plenty last year—her lone win and the first by a woman in an IndyCar race.

“Hopefully, we’ll have better luck there,” she said.

It wasn’t with her on Saturday.

“I really thought we had a car that was capable of finishing in the top 10 tonight,” she said. “We had a decent practice and qualifying runs yesterday so I thought we would be strong. It’s disappointing that we didn’t have a better finish.”

HERRINGTON WINS LIGHTS RACE, HILDEBRAND TAKES TITLE: Daniel Herrington won the Indy Lights Race, while J.R. Hildebrand claimed the series championship with a fifth-place showing on Saturday.

Herrington beat James Davison by 0.0613 seconds for his first victory, with Andrew Prendeville third and Wade Cunningham fourth.

Hildebrand, a National Merit Scholar with a two-year deferral to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, only needed to finish 14th to claim the series title. Instead, he turned in his 11th top-10 performance, giving him 503 points and the championship in his second year on the series and his first with Andretti Green. He is also the second straight Lights champion for AGR, with Raphael Matos taking the title a year ago.

“It was a long, hard race,” Hildebrand said. “I think there were a lot of white knuckles coming out of the car at the end. But I’m really happy for all the guys. The crew did an awesome job.”

Did Hildebrand earn a promotion? He’s not sure, although he believes his future largely hinges on Patrick’s decision.

“What Danica is going to do probably has a big effect on where a lot of people go this year,” Hildebrand said. “It looks like she’s going to stay now, so we just have to sort some things out in the offseason. For me, as a driver, I’d love nothing more than to be able to move up within this organization, so we’ll see what happens.”

BRAZIL DEAL?: The IndyCar series already has announced that it will race in Brazil next season, but has yet to commit to a specific venue. That might change soon, as series officials are headed to Salvador, Brazil early next week in hopes of securing a deal to race on a road course there.

“I think all the basic business fundamentals are out in the open, and don’t think there’s any issues there, and hope to get something signed while we’re there,” Angstadt said.

In a meeting with IndyCar team owners Saturday afternoon, Angstadt outlined the series’ general plans to contain the cost of racing. Angstadt also said he is “very” confident that the Versus network, which televises IndyCar races, will resolve a standoff with satellite television provider DirecTV. Angstadt also is optimistic the series is close to signing a title sponsor for next season.