The 2009 season is the last year of a long-term contract that had American female driver Danica Patrick race in the IndyCar series for team Andretti Green Racing. The young lady has admitted that she has interest in switching to the NASCAR series.
Danica Patrick has been linked to a Chip Ganassi seat if she decides to leave Andretti Green Racing but stay in the IndyCar series.
"Well, we'll definitely be looking at all our options. Ganassi are one of the top three teams in the IndyCar Series. But then again, I'm also currently driving for one of those top three teams in IndyCar. So it's going to have to be a really good option for me as a driver and as a brand to expand beyond, because I already drive for a great team. So we'll just have to see," said Patrick.
Patrick's high profile also makes her a target for NASCAR teams, several of them being interested in running the top American female driver.
She said the challenge of switching championships and the massive public interest in NASCAR made the Sprint Cup Series a tempting option.
"NASCAR has so many viewers and so many partners. There are just lots of options both inside and outside the car. And it looks like fun," she said.
"There are 40-odd guys that do it every year. Obviously, it's a good time. Oval racing is always fun. It's you racing against everyone else. It's very competitive. It's kind of like the Indy 500 every weekend. That's a lot of fun as a driver to be part of something important, and something people want to watch."
Danica Patrick isn't revealing much detail about her future, but she mentioned that her main consideration was to be a frontrunner in whichever series she chose to compete in.
photo:Sports Illustrated
Danica Patrick has been linked to a Chip Ganassi seat if she decides to leave Andretti Green Racing but stay in the IndyCar series.
"Well, we'll definitely be looking at all our options. Ganassi are one of the top three teams in the IndyCar Series. But then again, I'm also currently driving for one of those top three teams in IndyCar. So it's going to have to be a really good option for me as a driver and as a brand to expand beyond, because I already drive for a great team. So we'll just have to see," said Patrick.
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Patrick's high profile also makes her a target for NASCAR teams, several of them being interested in running the top American female driver.
She said the challenge of switching championships and the massive public interest in NASCAR made the Sprint Cup Series a tempting option.
"NASCAR has so many viewers and so many partners. There are just lots of options both inside and outside the car. And it looks like fun," she said.
"There are 40-odd guys that do it every year. Obviously, it's a good time. Oval racing is always fun. It's you racing against everyone else. It's very competitive. It's kind of like the Indy 500 every weekend. That's a lot of fun as a driver to be part of something important, and something people want to watch."
Danica Patrick isn't revealing much detail about her future, but she mentioned that her main consideration was to be a frontrunner in whichever series she chose to compete in.
photo:Sports Illustrated