By Tom Reck
Danica Patrick is set for another season in the IZOD IndyCar Series. And possibly more.
The popular driver has inked a two-year contract with Andretti Autosport with a joint option for a third year. She will drive the No. 7 Go Daddy green car which was unveiled this week on national television.
Patrick says she still is interested in doing something in NASCAR, perhaps next year, but does not have a contract with any team at this point. She said her focus will be to win the Indianapolis 500 and the series championship. “[I] would run stock cars before and after the IndyCar season,” she said on a teleconference this week.
“It is nice to finally [sign the contract]. I understand the NASCAR scrutiny. I would like to do both,” she said.
Patrick said she especially likes the NASCAR schedule which is primarily made up of oval races. “I would have to start small and grow,” she said of her racing in NASCAR.
The IZOD IndyCar series is down to eight oval-type races and runs runs from March 14 until Oct. 2 in 2010. The season opener will be run at Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Michael Andretti, the team owner in the restructured team organization, says she supports Patrick’s possible NASCAR racing. “I always wanted to challenge myself,” he said.
He said he has hired Tom Anderson to run race operations in Andretti Autosport. Anderson formerly was connected with Ganassi and Fernandez race teams.
“He has a ton of experience and has won everything. It has always been good to work with him,” said Andretti.
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• TV schedule set — Series officials this week announced the television schedule for 2010.
Five races, including the Indianapolis 500, will be on ABC and the rest will be on the Versus cable network including the season opener in Brazil.
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• Drivers honored — Dario Franchitti and J.R. Hildebrand of the Indy Racing League have been voted to the All-American team of drivers by members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.
Franchitti edged Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon for his second IndyCar Series title and Hildebrand won the Firestone Indy Lights championship.
Other members of the first team are Mark Martin, Ron Hornaday Jr., Tony Schumacher, Jon Fogarty, Alex Gurney and World of Outlaws champ Donnie Schatz.
Helio Castroneves is on the second team.
