SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Danica Patrick announced that she would be racing part time for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with GoDaddy.com as the primary sponsor. The announcement ended months of speculation on whether she would make the jump to stock cars on a full or part time basis.
“It’s been a long time coming, but the stars finally aligned for me with Go Daddy and JRM,” Patrick said. “I have always said I love to drive, and if I could make it work to race in both IndyCar and NASCAR – with the right sponsor, like GoDaddy.com and the right team, like JRM – then I’d love to drive in NASCAR!”
The two year deal with JR Motorsports will put Patrick in the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy. Tony Eury Jr. will serve as her crew chief. The schedule has not been set, but “the primary focus is before and after the Indy Car season.”
Though interested in eventually moving to the Sprint Cup Series, Patrick committed to running the full Izod Indy Car Series schedule last week, after signing a three year deal with Andretti Autosport.
“One of the things JRM has to offer is proven NASCAR experience,” said Kelley Earnhardt, vice President and General Manager of JR Motorsports. “This is a team sport, and our team will help Danica get up to speed quickly. She’s slated to begin working with our crew starting with the upcoming ARCA tests.”
At the press conference, Patrick did not hesitate to admit that it will be a difficult road ahead while adapting to stock cars. “Its going to be challenging. Its a new car and a new craft.” Kelley Earnhardt was more optimistic. “I think its reasonable for her to be in the top 15.” The last time she was in a stock car was at Greenville Pickens “7 or 8 years ago… It was good fun.”
NASCAR has approved Patrick to race at all tracks in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. The move is not unprecidented, allowing both Dario Franchitti and Juan Pablo Montoya to race at track in which they have not raced or tested at before.
Based on the IRL schedule, the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy would be able to race in 18 Nationwide Series races in 2010, in addition to the ARCA race in Daytona on Feb. 6.
Feb. 6 — Daytona (ARCA)
Feb. 13 — Daytona
Feb. 20 — Auto Club Speedway
Feb. 27 — Las Vegas
March 20 — Bristol
April 3 — Nashville
April 24 — Talladega
June 5 — Nashville
June 26 — New Hampshire
July 9 — Chicagoland Speedway
July 31 — Iowa
Aug. 14 — Michigan
Sept. 10 — Richmond
Sept. 25 — Dover
Oct. 9 — Auto Club Speedway
Oct. 15 — Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Oct. 23 — Gateway
Nov. 6 — Texas
Nov. 13 — Phoenix
Nov. 20 — Homestead
