Danica Patrick Focuses on Racing While Agents Listen to Offers

The first two weeks of Danica Patrick's free-agency sweepstakes have been low profile and subtle -- a stark contrast to the driver's normal mode of operation since becoming one of the most talked about racers in America.

After saying she'd entertain NASCAR job offers along with any good options to keep her in the IndyCar Series, Patrick said Tuesday she was not sure if any NASCAR teams had contacted her uber-agency IMG with employment offers yet.

"That's not for me to handle," said Patrick, who is in the last year of a contract with Andretti Green Racing.

"That's what I leave up to my agents. And as they tell me -- which is the best thing -- all I have to do is go there and perform and they'll take care of the rest, so that's what I'm going to do."

Patrick reiterated that she's open to a career shift to stock cars but intimated it would have to start with a top tier NASCAR team.

"For me, the most important thing is performing and having the ability and having the resources to get there faster," Patrick said. "So, yeah, when it's a top team calling, it makes it more attractive."

Patrick is enjoying her most consistent season to date in IndyCar, with a string of four consecutive top-five finishes coming on a variety of race circuits. Her third place finish in the Indianapolis 500 was the best ever for a woman and her highest finish of the season. She sits fifth in the championship standings as the series begins a four-week run of races this week at Iowa Speedway.

And yet as Patrick seems to be hitting her stride in the open-wheel ranks, speculation that she'll move to NASCAR has followed her everywhere. And she hasn't exactly tried to squash it.

Latest Danica Patrick Photos

FILE - In this photo taken on June 28, 2008, Danica Patrick stands with her pit crew during pre race ceremonies for the SunTrust Indy Challenge Race at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. Patrick looks toward the upcoming IRL race at Richmond International Raceway amid talk she's the latest open-wheel racer being courted to make the jump to NASCAR. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

FILE - In this May 10, 2008, file photo, driver Danica Patrick, right, is congratulated by teammate Marco Andretti after her qualifying run on the first day of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Andretti Green teammates Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti say there are no hard feelings between them despite rumors to the contrary. During a break in IndyCar testing Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Watkins Glen International, both said any hard feelings over their battle in the closing laps of Saturday night's race at Texas Motor Speedway were forgotten. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman, File)

FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 06: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Dallara Honda, walks through the stands prior to the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 6, 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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Danica Patrick stands by her car as she prepares for the start of the IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550 auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

FT. WORTH , TX - JUNE 05: Danica Patrick drives her #7 Boost Mobile Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 5, 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 05: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Dallara Honda, stands on pit road during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 5, 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danica Patrick

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"As drivers we like to challenge ourselves,'' said Patrick, who's lone IndyCar race victory came last year in Japan. "If we've done something well, can we do the next thing well?

"NASCAR has so many viewers and so many partners. There are just lots of options both inside and outside the car. It looks like fun. There are 40-odd guys that do it every year, I'm not sure how many the number is this year. But obviously, it's a good time.

"Oval racing is always fun. ... It's kind of like the Indy 500 every weekend. That's a lot of fun as a driver to be a part of something important and something people want to watch."

For now Patrick insists IMG, which is run by former NASCAR executive George Pyne, is in data collection mode and that she'll evaluate all her options at the end of the season. For legal reasons, she may not even be able to announce next year's plans until her current contract with AGR ends this season.

"At the end of the day, I want to do well this year. I want to win as many races as I can, so I don't want to do anything that would take away from that being able to happen.. ... To be open about anything to that point would be foolish. That's for after the season and we'll worry about it then, and deal with that then."

The opportunity to win is what Patrick insists is driving her decision on a new contract. But she also, understandably, wants to seize personal marketing opportunities for what she calls her "brand" -- something she describes as such:

"My brand is determined, feminine and hopefully -- I feel awkward talking about myself like this -- but it's something beautiful, something fast, something interesting and exciting, something inspiring and something iconic and something that's doing things that have never been done before."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

6-17-2009 @ 6:46PM

davelee137 said...

Little Danica really should stay in the IRL. If she should go to NASCAR and throws one of her hissy-fits getting into another drivers face, she will end up on her backside in a hurry.

6-18-2009 @ 2:12PM

Kyle said...

I would gladly throw her on her "back side" quickly ;-)

6-17-2009 @ 8:00PM

illsell4u said...

And you say that because you feel there are no gentlemen in Nascar? That they would strike a lady? What, you say if she gets in their face she deserves it? MOST Nascar drivers either have a wife or a girlfriend. And I can tell you that at some point in time these guys have had their wives/girlfriends get in their faces and throw a hissy fit. Does that give them the right to backhand them? Grow up. Any man that would strike a lady for getting in their face deserves a trip to the emergency room and a trip to the dentist for a new set of teeth.

I personally would like to see her in Nascar for at least two seasons. She would draw plenty of press to herself and she would not even have to win, sound familiar? And I can assure you, when the Nascar drivers swimsuit issue comes out MOST of the drivers will prefer to have her picture hanging in their garage than any of the other drivers.

Any ways, there have been a few Top open wheel drivers give Nascar a try over the past. How many have actually been successful? Not many but the fact that she would draw crowds is a certainty. if it adds to the overall fanbase and puts butts in the stands it has to be a good thing.
mbl

6-17-2009 @ 10:43PM

gregsachiko said...

I also agree, let her in and maybe, just maybe she would surprise everyone. She would be great for the press and would draw more female fans as well.
Everyone deserves a chance in this lifetime, why should she be denied???
I think more foriegn drivers should start entering Nascar. I know most of everyone is going to disagree but doesn't everyone have the right to participate to see "WHO" really is the best?

Greg

6-18-2009 @ 3:23PM

guadsterg said...

no!!!!

6-18-2009 @ 8:41AM

sdh4194 said...

all this nascar talk is just leverage for a better indycar deal. she could never be competitive in nascar.

6-18-2009 @ 8:45AM

corrhelp1 said...

She has no business in nascar. We all know this is just her way of getting more pay from someone in IRL. Plus she is a spoiled lil chick

6-18-2009 @ 9:00AM

Kim said...

As a woman, I am certainly not opposed to a woman making it into NASCAR, however I am personally opposed to Danica being that woman. I do not like her attitude. I think she is unprofessional and has a lot of poor sportsmanlike qualities. If I had to hand pick a woman that I would like to see in NASCAR, it would be Ashley Force. She is amazing in Funny Car and has an amazing attitude to go along with all her racing talents and amazingly good looks. If you all don't know her or haven't watched her race, check her out. I think you will agree. :-)

Kim

6-18-2009 @ 11:02AM

romknee said...

I agree,And she has a great personalty,like her dad.luv them both,She has the right stuff.looks,talant,and can drive fast.

6-18-2009 @ 9:54AM

Max Avenue said...

What are all of you afraid of - She could win. It doesn't matter she's a women, you are just afraid she could WIN and take over the fan base. Nascar needs someone new and she's the one to give these boys a run for her money. They are all babies, pissing and mooning about the car, crew chiefs and who didn't do what when then those. I believe Danica is the only one to put baby boy Kyle Busch in in rightful place AT THE BOTTOM. I believe the Nascar boys have forgotten what racing is all about. I am sorry to say, but the last great race I saw was wehn M. Waltrip won the Daytona 500 and I watched my Hero Dale Earnhardt Sr. die. Maybe, she can fill his shoes, no one else has the balls or attitude to do it.

6-18-2009 @ 10:42AM

You obviously do not know much about Danica, She has no proven record, She shows up at the race and has never passed another driver yet in the IRL, When she won, it was on gas mileage alone, again no passing only gaining spots by accident. She is pretty yes, talented, No. By the way there are only about 15 full time IRL drivers, chances are you are gonna slip up and win one some how. There are very talented Lady drivers out there. But, she is not one of them

6-18-2009 @ 9:13AM

sirboss said...

Jr might be able to beat Someone if she comes to NASCAR.

6-18-2009 @ 9:43AM

Hey, I didn,t think about that

6-18-2009 @ 10:10AM

lighthouselady said...

It's not the drivers who Danica has to look out for, it is some of the fans that are just plain mean, rude and crude against her any my point is proven by a lot of the comments made concerning this article.

6-18-2009 @ 10:24AM

lazzyybonness said...

First of all most of you have been looking at the Driver. Danica Patrick. Not at her accomplishments. I don't mean on paper I mean on the track.Take a close look at the races and you will see that she never never passes anyone on the track. Her accomplishments are mostly due to pure luck and not driver ability.

6-18-2009 @ 12:19PM

Joey said...

I think your analysis is totally bogus. She has to pass someone to get to #3 or to finish first as she has done.

More importantly, you have over looked the skill it takes to avoid crashes and finish every damn race !! Try that !!

6-20-2009 @ 11:46PM

Don said...

Perhaps you are the one who should take a close look.

At this year's Indy 500, she made nine passes for position. At Milwaukee, she made eight passes for position. At Texas, her pass of Dan Wheldon was voted best move of the race by the fans.

If you're going to criticize a driver, at least know what you're talking about.

6-18-2009 @ 10:35AM

rajrvers said...

Who knows, Danica might be good for NASCAR. Only thing is, she basically said that it has to be one of the top teams in NASCAR. I guess that means that she is not willing to start in the Nationwide series to pay her dues and see if she can handle the much heavier cars. Seems like an ego trip to me, and yes it could be just talk to get a better deal from an IRL team.