Danica Patrick Close to Deal with Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide Team

SportingNews Nov 4, 3:16 pm EST

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Danica Patrick is the final stages of negotiations on a two-year contract with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., sources tell ESPN.

Patrick is expected to make her debut with the team at Daytona next February.

Patrick signed a three-year extension with Andretti Green Racing to continue driving for the team in the Indy Racing League, which made many believe she would not enter NASCAR any time soon.

The IRL has a 17-race schedule, meaning Patrick will probably not race a full-time schedule for JR Motorsports’ Nationwide team, ESPN reports.

Notably, GoDaddy.com is a sponsor of both Patrick and the No. 88 Chevrolet that JR Motorsports runs in the Nationwide Series. Brad Keselowski currently pilots that car, but is leaving at the end of the season to drive for Penske Racing in Sprint Cup.


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Updated Nov 4, 3:16 pm EST
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45 Comments

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  1. Rob D
    45. Posted by Rob D Tue Nov 10 7:30pm EST

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    This is NEWS? I think not. Instead, just another excuse for our BSNM (Biased Sports News Media) to report on Mrs. Sports Media Darling, Auto Racing Division. Mrs. Overpublicized has a 1-80 racing record. Mrs. Almost-Should've-Could've-Would've was 0-17 last year...and that means she's teaming up with Earnhardt and his 0-36 record for 2009. Together, they're a combined 0-53.
  2. Luis
    44. Posted by Luis Sun Nov 8 10:57pm EST

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    Veronica (post #29), the difference is that Kyle Busch has won several races in Cup, Nationwide and Truck. Mrs. Hospenthal has only one win in her career. She's more fluff than stuff.
  3. stan
    43. Posted by stan Sun Nov 8 10:07pm EST

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    Boy its going to be fun watching this little spoiled crybaby try NASCAR, Oh I can hear it now,, the boys are being mean to me" make them stop. She want last 2years,
  4. <i>ray.harris84</i>
    42. Posted by ray.harris84 Fri Nov 6 2:43pm EST

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    18 posted by LD Wong:

    If she makes the jump you will never hear from her again (figuratively speaking) at best she's a marginal IRL dirver who has a ride with a quality team....her most important contribution to the league(and to quote her)...."she's a babe"
  5. Jordan C
    41. Posted by Jordan C Wed Nov 4 10:39pm EST

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    If its like the Evernham/Erin Crocker deal, I guess i don't blame Dale lol
  6. huey
    40. Posted by huey Wed Nov 4 10:36pm EST

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    I dont think she has "it" . far better have come from the open wheel ranks and they didnt get the job done. she aint no shining star in irl. but publicity for your sponsors are the order of the day. we havent had kotex as a sponsor for a while since shawna was runnin.the girls are missing two important parts to this game.
    JMO
  7. ollie g
    39. Posted by ollie g Wed Nov 4 10:33pm EST

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    My problem with this Danica situation is there are many drivers other than her that are more deserving and will never get the chance to drive. Shame on Hendrick and JR motor sports. We all know Rick pulls the strings anyway. As for NASCAR, they need some thing to give them a boost anyway cause, NASCAR IS SUCKING!!!!!!!!!!! Mark my words, Danica will never succeed in CRAPCAR.
  8. slim
    38. Posted by slim Wed Nov 4 10:17pm EST

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    Dale Jr. needs to drive the Nationwide Car. He has no business driving with the Big Boys.
  9. RUSTY
    37. Posted by RUSTY Wed Nov 4 9:30pm EST

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    to the dumb dago in post 35. Jealous much?
  10. cornbackrattler
    36. Posted by cornbackrattler Wed Nov 4 9:25pm EST

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    To post #30: Sounds like a match made in heave for Joooooooooonyer and the hottie.
  11. wopp22
    35. Posted by wopp22 Wed Nov 4 9:08pm EST

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    i thought we heard the last of that b---h,enough is enough sense that contract issue every time she needs preSs time she brings up nascar,until she does or dosn't don't waste the print on that whining little b---h.----GIVE US A BREAK
  12. <i>popkern155@...</i>
    34. Posted by popkern155@... Wed Nov 4 8:36pm EST

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    What is next steel cage match?
  13. jorge p
    33. Posted by jorge p Wed Nov 4 8:28pm EST

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    more dinero for Jr...
  14. dwighty
    32. Posted by dwighty Wed Nov 4 8:24pm EST

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    an irl car is not a nationwide car good luck because she is going to need it.
  15. Jennifer
    31. Posted by Jennifer Wed Nov 4 7:57pm EST

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    danica is on her way!
  16. michael l
    30. Posted by michael l Wed Nov 4 7:50pm EST

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    She is a decent driver but nothing more. She knows this and to her credit is now out to maximize her 'brand' and make $$. You people who think she's championship material, or even contending material, have either never seen her drive or don't know much about the sport. She has had great equipment for the last 5-6 yrs and has produced basically nothing but driving to finish type results. She never runs up front against the big boys unless they're cruising. She's a joke among the top drivers but they are jealous of her paycheck.
  17. Veronica
    29. Posted by Veronica Wed Nov 4 7:48pm EST

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    Great...here comes the female Kyle Busch. Just what the sport didnt need, another crybaby...ugh! No wonder the sport is going down hill. I long for the days of the Allisons,Pettys and Kulwicki.

    Oh well such is life.
  18. JerryH
    28. Posted by JerryH Wed Nov 4 7:40pm EST

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    What a bunch of titty suckin nancies.....boys if any of you could drive half as good as Danica Patrick you would not have to be living in your mommys basement! Get lives!
  19. Jennifer
    27. Posted by Jennifer Wed Nov 4 7:32pm EST

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    danica will have jr . cars and hendrick motors!!!!!!!!!! wooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
  20. <i>raymond338@...</i>
    26. Posted by raymond338@... Wed Nov 4 7:26pm EST

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    it looks like (ass the gas man )must have been smelling tomuch of his own gas ,if he has any kind of stupid remarks about dale jr. maybe he should go too his face and make that crack.Inotther words keep your dam opion to yourself. because we are pretty sure dale jr.and his late father could give a rats ass about your thuoghts,because dale jr. will be a great champion,and oh by the way how many races did you win other than paying video games with your lil bo\rother and sister.
  21. commit to the indian
    25. Posted by commit to the indian Wed Nov 4 7:03pm EST

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    doc21178 rubbing in a open wheel IRL car at 200mph could be catastraphic. Rubbing in a Nationwide or Cup car is a little bit different so I doubt she will get bent out of shape(no pun intended).
  22. Lathrop Wells
    24. Posted by Lathrop Wells Wed Nov 4 6:59pm EST

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    Franchitti won the IRL championship came to Nascar and did nothing but wreck cars.

    He went back to the IRL and won another championship.

    Sam Hornish came fron the IRL and has done nothing in Nascar but wreck cars.

    Montoya can drive a open wheel car like nobody's business and has struggled in Nascar.

    This ploy by a struggling car owner and a struggling car driver is not about racing it is about publicity.

    Chrissie Wallace is a better driver.

    She even out races her dad.

    Lets see how many excuses this whiny danicant can come up with for her poor performances in Nascar.

    This is how low Nascar has gotten.
  23. KrazyKen
    23. Posted by KrazyKen Wed Nov 4 6:56pm EST

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    Betcha she could take Jr., Jeffy, JJ & Kyle in a cat fight any day. Probably Carl & his Momma too ! LMFAO !!!
  24. <i>doc21178</i>
    22. Posted by doc21178 Wed Nov 4 6:56pm EST

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    I just can't imagine her doing well in NASCAR. Have you ever seen her reaction to being bumped in the polite world of IRL? She gets rubbed in a Nationwide race and she will go insane. She will be the most arrogant driver there but I'll wish her luck anyway.
  25. KrazyKen
    21. Posted by KrazyKen Wed Nov 4 6:52pm EST

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    That "backmarker" that you call her, runs CONSISTANTLY in the top 5 & has finished in the top 10 in points for the last 3 yrs. Seems A LOT better than her future boss. Besides anybody that was too stupid or chauvanist to see this coming, is really sad !
    If Hendrick doesn't snatch her up, Tony will have her in a car in 3 yrs.
    I TOLD YA SO !!!!!!!!!!
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