Danica Patrick To Make NASCAR Debut

Sports News - February 8th, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR debut on Saturday February 13th, at the Daytona International Speedway, breaking from IndyCar Series driving for at least a week.

"To be the one driving that [GoDaddy.com] car at Daytona means a lot to me,'' Patrick stated in a release on Monday morning. "Racing in the Nationwide Series was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.''

Patrick finished in sixth position during her ARCA debut in Daytona. According to ESPN.com, Patrick supplanted a spot in upcoming race from points CJM Racing's No. 11 team accumulated last season.

"The ARCA race was a blast, and I'm not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet,'' Patrick remarked. "I want more racing.''

She received universal support from everyone close to her and the situation.

Kelley Earnhardt, co-owner of JR Motorsports said of Patrick "Danica proved to everyone she can compete in stock cars at a high level, and right now seat time is extremely important. She has worked extremely hard during the past two months for this opportunity. Her dedication and work ethic is infectious."

Tony Eury Jr, who is the Crew Chief for Patrick had a change of opinion following the drivers performance on Saturday at the speedway. Prior to, he was not in favor of making the debut at Daytona, but shifted his views.

"Me and Rick [Hendrick] told her the first time we ever met her, that Daytona might not be the place you want to do it,'' Eury remarked. "It's basically a [Sprint] Cup race. You don't want to put her in a situation where she is going to fail. We told her to come down, run this race, get her feet wet and if you're comfortable do it. I would love for her to come back and run next week."

While Patrick had a nice finish at ARCA, several analysts took notice of her driving style with respect to bump drafting, and perhaps being too conservative. A more aggressive approach is needed in a restrictor-plate race if she expects to finish high. Eury said that both are aware of the issue, and insists that she will get better each time she races.

"That's the kind of thing that is going to take gradual time, to get used to bump drafting,'' Eury said in an interview. "We just keep talking. This tonight is the most homework we can do.''

Following Patrick's race on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, will be the 52nd running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday February 14th. Tony Stewart leads the way among the betting favorites according to the NASCAR Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook.