Newz Forum: AUTO: Danica's family talking to NASCAR teams

The father of Indy Car Racer Danica patrick, is in talks with NASCAR teams in hopes of having his daughter race as soon as next year in a Nextel Cup race. Danica's contract with Rahal-Letterman Racing ends after this season.

Originally posted on ESPN.com

JOLIET, Ill. -- Danica Patrick's father is exploring the possibility of the popular Indy Racing League driver moving to NASCAR as soon as next year, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

The Tribune reported that T.J. Patrick, who has managed Danica Patrick's career since childhood, was in exploratory talks with some NASCAR teams at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.

"I'm trying to get her here [into NASCAR]," T.J. Patrick told the Tribune.

T.J. and Bev Patrick, who formerly lived in Roscoe, Ill., attended NASCAR's USG Sheetrock 400 because "we've had some inquiries" from NASCAR teams, T.J. Patrick told the newspaper.

The Tribune reported the couple was in the Nextel Cup garage area as guests of Roush Racing, which fields drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray and runs Fords on the Nextel Cup circuit.

Link: Danica's Family Talking to NASCAR

I've heard that she's quite good, but having a slow season this year. May cause her contract to not get renewed, and may pave the way to a possible NASCAR career. I don't watch much Indy Car races, so I would like to see her make the transition.

[Edited on 7/11/2006 by GiantsFan]

Well I could be dead wrong, but I'm guessing this could be a bargaining ploy. Maybe try to jack up the offer from someone in Indy Car. Of course, if NASCAR throws a pile of cash at her, maybe she'll go. Be interesting to see what kind of reception she'd get from the good ol' boys.

Originally posted by yeahright
Be interesting to see what kind of reception she'd get from the good ol' boys.

her welcome may be a little better than some of the other women who've tried their hands at NASCAR. She's alot easier on the eyes than the other women were. Not to say that they were unattractive, ok so maybe i am because they were. It's sad that in this day and age women still get judged on their looks and not talent, but wait these other women sucked as drivers too, so maybe it's not so sad. I read she was talking with Rousch, which will be interesting since he has to get rid of some teams pretty soon since they limited team ownership to 3 teams. So it's very possible that this is a bargaining ploy since her current contract is up at the end of the year.

I wonder how much of a bargaining ploy though. I'm not much of a racing fan of any sort, but I remember an interview with her on that Stephan A. Smith ESPN show, (is that thing still on?). She said there wa no way she had the endurance for the full season that NASCAR has, I guess Indy only has about half as many races?