Rumor has it that Danica Patrick , who's contract with the Rahal-Letterman team ends this year, may be heading to NASCAR to win (more) fame and (more) fortune; that's of course if her dad and manager, T.J. Patrick, gets his way.
Snippet: T.J. Patrick, who has managed his daughter's career since her childhood, was at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., on Sunday, holding exploratory talks with some Nextel Cup teams and sponsors about the possibility of Danica leaving the IRL for NASCAR as early as next year...
Her contract expires with the IRL's Rahal-Letterman Racing team, co-owned by late-night TV host David Letterman, at the end of this season. In addition to considering NASCAR, the Patricks are negotiating with other IRL teams - and appear unlikely to renew with Rahal-Letterman next year.
If Patrick moves over to NASCAR, she will be following F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya
who recently announced that he too will be joining the ranks of NASCAR. Snippet: By hiring Montoya, who has a residence in Miami, Ganassi fulfills NASCAR's diversity program for Hispanic-speaking people and greatly enhances the chances of a Cup event in Mexico City.
Hmmm...
More here on Montoya's move from Inside Line .
ateixeira says:
07:39 AM, 07/11/06
I was more shocked when I first heard the news that JPM was moving. It just didn't seem like a good fit.
Danica is a better fit. She's used to ovals and has been competing here in the US, and the fans will welcome her with open arms, I bet.
carlisimo says:
09:07 AM, 07/11/06
Don't forget, JPM is a former oval champ. But yeah, Danica would be pretty readily welcomed in, with the greater US exposure she has. Like JPM, she'd bring new fan demographics with her, and help NASCAR modernize its image a bit.
ateixeira says:
07:38 AM, 07/12/06
Now you can get champagne with your pork rinds. ;-)