Patrick staying on with Andretti Autosport

  • By JOHN MARSHALL Associated Press
  • Monday, November 30, 2009 8:57am
  • Sports

Danica Patrick signed a three-year extension with Andretti Autosport on Monday, a deal reportedly in the works for weeks.

Her NASCAR future? Still unclear.

Patrick and Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti announced the deal and unveiled her green, black and orange No. 7 GoDaddy.com car at New York’s Times Square during a segment of “Good Morning America.”

“Michael Andretti has helped me become a better driver and we hope to accomplish a great deal during the next few years together,” Patrick said in a statement.

The contract extension apparently had been held up by Patrick’s previous sponsorship deal with Motorola and a restructuring of Andretti Autosport, which changed its name from Andretti Green Racing last week. Michael Andretti became sole owner after purchasing the team from Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, who have taken control of the promotions side of the company.

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Patrick signed with the Andretti Autosport before the 2007 season and became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race at the 2008 Japan Indy 300. She also finished third at this year’s Indianapolis 500 and a career-best fifth in the IRL season championship.

Patrick’s new deal runs through 2012.

“All of us at Andretti Autosport are looking forward to having Danica back with the team and are excited about working with (CEO) Bob Parsons and everyone at Go Daddy as the primary sponsor on Danica’s car,” Michael Andretti said.

That deal done, the NASCAR speculation will continue.

One of the most popular drivers in any series, Patrick has expressed an interest in driving stock cars and stopped by a few NASCAR garages in North Carolina last summer.

She is reportedly working on a deal that would partner her on a limited Nationwide Series schedule with JR Motorsports, which is owned is owned by Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. JR Motorsports already has a sponsorship deal with GoDaddy.com for its No. 88 Chevrolet.

There also have been rumors that Patrick will drive a handful of ARCA races.

No announcement was made Monday, though the Andretti Autosport deal could clear the way for any NASCAR plans.

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