Danica Patrick made her move from the IndyCar Series to NASCAR in 2012 official Thursday. She will drive a full Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports and eight to 10 Cup races for Stewart-Haas Racing. She plans to be full time for SHR in 2013.
After learning to keep the pace during her second season in stock cars, the question now is can she set the pace?
Patrick, 29, became the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 and the first to win a major league oval race during her seven full-time seasons in IndyCar. Her debut could be the Daytona 500 in February. Patrick was “unsure” about racing in the 2012 Indianapolis 500.
One thing that is certain is Patrick’s popularity only can improve. While Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been NASCAR’s most popular driver for close to a decade, Patrick could take his spot.
“She brings a different appeal, attention or whatever it is you want to call it,” Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III told ESPN. “You never know what that will do for you in popularity.”
– Scott Gleeson
