CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)A person familiar with the plan says Danica Patrick has reached a deal to enter NASCAR with JR Motorsports.
Patrick will announce a partial Nationwide Series schedule at a Tuesday news conference in Phoenix, the person familiar with her plans tells The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because she has not officially announced her intentions.
Last week Patrick signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Autosport to stay in the IndyCar series, but its schedule gives her enough time to also try NASCAR.
Its not clear yet how many races she will drive in NASCARs second-tier series for team owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick.
GoDaddy.com will sponsor Patrick in both IndyCar and NASCAR.
At last, the long-awaited announcement is official Go Daddy is taking Danica Patrick to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010. Danica will drive the #7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in a partial Nationwide schedule next season, plus one ARCA race. The Go Daddy Girl will be racing as a member of the JR Motorsports (JRM) team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Rick Hendrick, Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury, Jr. through 2011. "It's been a long time coming, but the stars finally aligned for me with Go Daddy and JRM," Danica said just before making her announcement. "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!" Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons introduced Danica today as she made it official with the unveiling of her new stock car in front of fans and media outside Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Parsons and the Go Daddy Girl driver were flanked by the brand new bright green #7 GoDaddy.com Nationwide Chevy and the equally distinctive 2010 IndyCar at today's news conference. Go Daddy is leveraging its existing relationship with Earnhardt, Jr. who has also driven for Go Daddy in the Nationwide Series and will continue to work as a Go Daddy spokesperson. Danica's NASCAR races would take place before, after and in between her IndyCar schedule. Michael Andretti, owner of Danica's IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport, addressed that issue. "Danica and I are both working hard for a win at the Indianapolis 500 keeping the race schedules separate will help keep her focused," Andretti said. (GoDaddy.com PR), It was also announced that Tony Eury, Jr. would be her crew chief
I might just have to make a trip to a Nationwide race this year!