Danica Will Not Decide On Future Plans Until After '09 IRL Season
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Patrick Likely To Decide
On Racing Future In October |
IndyCar driver Danica Patrick yesterday said that she "will not announce a decision on her future plans until after the IndyCar Series season ends" on October 10, according to Terry Blount of ESPN.com. Patrick's future plans "have become a major topic of conversation because her contract with Andretti Green Racing expires at the end of this season." Patrick on a conference call said that she is "open to all possibilities at this point." Patrick: "NASCAR has so many viewers and so many partners. There are lots of options inside and outside the car. And it looks like fun." With Patrick being repped by IMG, and IMG Sports & Entertainment President George Pyne formerly being NASCAR COO, Patrick was "asked if Pyne is pushing her toward NASCAR." Patrick: "I've spoken to him, but I don't think anyone is trying to push me in any direction. They just want to know what I'm looking for and what my goals are. I just want to know what my options are and who's really serious. That's where we're at. We're just collecting information at this point." More Patrick: "The most important thing is to put myself in a situation where I can win as many races as possible and run up front and be competitive. There's also the brand side. Just being able to make the most [of] it as an athlete and endorser of products by gaining exposure, and in due time, exploring things outisde of racing" (ESPN.com, 6/16).
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) last week was rumored to be interested in Patrick, and SI.com's Bruce Martin wrote that "would be a great move for Patrick because it would keep her in IndyCar while also giving her the chance to drive in selected NASCAR events with Ganassi's stock car team." That way Patrick "could determine if she wants to make a full-time switch to NASCAR." Andretti Green Racing co-Owner Kevin Savoree said that the "time to sit down and talk" with Patrick about her future "has not happened yet." Savoree: "There are so many variables involved in it that it is hard to put a timetable to it. For us, it's focusing on racing and let that take care of it. When it's time to sit down, we will" (SI.com, 6/15).
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