From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:29 am EDT

It's official: Danica is returning to IndyCar for the 2010 season

By Jay Busbee

At least part of the ongoing Danica Patrick saga has come to a definitive close. Patrick has reportedly signed a three-year deal to remain a part of Andretti Green Racing. As before, she will drive the No. 7 sponsored by Motorola. It brings to an end months of speculation on the Indy side of things, but plenty of elements of her 2010 and beyond remain very much up in the air.

Patrick's future has been the subject of debate for years now; while she's not the most talented driver on the Indy circuit, she's unquestionably the best-known and most marketable to a broad audience. And that's exactly why every racing circuit from Indy to NASCAR to soapbox derby racing has coveted her.

Now, still unresolved is whether Patrick will run in NASCAR, as ESPN reported three weeks ago. Since that report, which got far less press than expected, there's been little news on the Danica-in-NASCAR front. Tony Stewart, who was mentioned as a mentor of Patrick, has said Patrick has not signed any kind of NASCAR agreement. (Yet, we could add.)

Regardless of what Patrick decides about NASCAR, the three-year agreement with Andretti Green seems to indicate that she's not going to completely jump ship from Indy. It's a wise move, considering how many open-wheel drivers have challenged NASCAR and fallen short. But then, when it's about Danica, it's not really about wins, is it?

Danica Patrick staying in IndyCar series [Indianapolis Star]

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86 Comments

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  1. howboutdemSaints-mp
    1. Posted by howboutdemSaints-mp Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:59 am EDT

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    Congrats to her on her 3 yr contract. Didn't figure she would run much in Cup much less in NWS. Do think she might try a race here or there just to get the feel of it before the 3 years are out.
  2. Phoenix H
    2. Posted by Phoenix H Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:05 am EDT

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    "But then, when it's about Dale Ju-" whoops, misread there for a minute.
    This kinda sucks, I thought it's be pretty interesting to see how she'd do over here.
    Well, anything's possible in the future. Just like the aforementioned Jr., maybe she'll at least try it with a one-race deal in Cup like he wants to try the Indy 500.
  3. Phoenix H
    3. Posted by Phoenix H Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:07 am EDT

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    "But then, when it's about Dale Ju-" whoops, misread there for a minute.
    This kinda sucks, I thought it'd be pretty interesting to see how she'd do over here.
    Well, anything's possible in the future. Just like the aforementioned Jr., maybe she'll at least try it with a one-race deal in Cup like he wants to try the Indy 500.
  4. Phoenix H
    4. Posted by Phoenix H Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:07 am EDT

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    Si... not even I am invulnerable to the Yahell double posting...
    Ay carumba.
  5. Chewbacca23
    5. Posted by Chewbacca23 Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:35 am EDT

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    she's gotta be better than Jr
  6. onlinehappy714
    6. Posted by onlinehappy714 Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:51 am EDT

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    soprts is good at health!
  7. D V
    7. Posted by D V Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:19 am EDT

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    As long as she is nowhere near NASCAR, it's a good thing. Her talent is truly limited.
  8. martin_rulz6
    8. Posted by martin_rulz6 Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:35 am EDT

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    Post 1 - Oh yeah. If Indy has an off weekend, or shares a weekend with the Truck Series or Nationwide Series, I see her making an attempt within the next 3 years.
  9. Rudy88
    9. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:49 am EDT

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    Michael L - I'll take Jr's 18 wins, over Danica's ONE win, anyday!
  10. WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG
    10. Posted by WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:55 am EDT

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    Watch all motor-sport, on internet: f1, gp2 series, motogp, 250, 125, nascar, rally, superbike and much more: :races, free practice and qualify
  11. brinirmess
    11. Posted by brinirmess Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:52 am EDT

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    And this comes as a suprise to anyone? Not!
    Spicy 14s to ya Rudy
  12. Rudy88
    12. Posted by Rudy88 Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:44 am EDT

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    brini - Hot 88s right back to you. How R U this beautiful morning? I'm restocking my trout gear, or I could say, I'm gearing up for this last weekend of the WI trout season. Gonna miss it for a few months.
  13. MarkN
    13. Posted by MarkN Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:44 am EDT

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    See you guys Monday I'm off to see the monster at Dover this morning .
  14. kissimmee dude
    14. Posted by kissimmee dude Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:51 am EDT

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    +++no boobage+++
  15. Shannon P
    15. Posted by Shannon P Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:29 am EDT

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    I agree with brini... it feels like I already knew this several months ago???
  16. Jim J.
    16. Posted by Jim J. Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:50 am EDT

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    Danica is a smart lady and she knows that jumping into NASCAR would be the same as jumping into the ocean during a shark feeding frenzy. I personally think Danica has more talent than she has shown to date, but until she drives for a team (i.e. Penske or Ganassi) that is better than Andretti Green Racing no one will ever know for sure just how good Danica really is. You have to remember that, while the driver is the one out there during the race, the whole thing is a "team effort" and Danica can't take a car that is less prepared than some of the others competing against her and win consistently (or even at all). I really think she does the best she can with what she has to work with, and that, unfortunately, isn't as much as she needs.
  17. Dementor
    17. Posted by Dementor Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:55 am EDT

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    Woo hoo! She's smokin! Visit Canada Card World
  18. Cheryl
    18. Posted by Cheryl Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:02 am EDT

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    i am reall yhappy she got her 3 yr. i am even happier she is not coming to nascar. i just feel like we need to keep this for the guys and i am afraid she would'nt be able to compete with them. who knows maybe she could, but i am glad both ways.
  19. so sad
    19. Posted by so sad Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:06 am EDT

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    Good, They're enough DIVAs in NASCAR already.
  20. ted74
    20. Posted by ted74 Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:07 am EDT

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    she could race matchbox cars and I will watch.
  21. bodymarshallbill
    21. Posted by bodymarshallbill Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    You'll see Little Miss No Talent driving ARCA and Nationwide cars in the next 3 years on a limited basis, paving the way for "Her Ladyship" to make a grand entrance into Cup racing after her current contract is up and A-G realize that she is not that good at racing.
  22. Willy Doer
    22. Posted by Willy Doer Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:25 am EDT

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    LATER MARKN ! Have a good one.
    BTW, who really gives a flying F_CK what Dainika is doing?

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