Danica Patrick to finish stock car tutorial, return to IndyCar
February 26, 2010 |11:23 | Gossips By : Team X
Those hoping to see Danica Patrick driving a stock car better do it this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway or wait until late June. Saturday's Sam's Town 300 Nationwide Series race will end.
The first phase of Patrick's NASCAR tutorial before she focuses on her day job as an Izod IndyCar Series driver with Andretti Autosport, with whom she spent testing Wednesday and Thursday at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.
Her next scheduled Nationwide start for JR Motorsports is June 26 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "We've put a lot of effort into these first three stock-car races, but my ultimate goal is still to win the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship; that's the primary focus," Patrick said in a prerace release.
"It doesn't mean I'll lose touch with my team at JR Motorsports while I'm back in the IndyCar Series. I'll still stay in contact with (crew chief) Tony (Eury) Jr. and keep up with the guys as they get things prepared for my return in June. And I'll be cheering on my JRM teammate Kelly Bires over the next few months."
After a wreck left Patrick 35th at Daytona International Speedway, she improved four spots last Saturday at Auto Club Speedway in California, three laps behind winner Kyle Busch but running at the end. Her goal for Vegas is continuing to learn, in this case the handling for the 1.5-mile track. "It's no secret Vegas is going to be another challenge for me," Patrick said, "so I'll spend time learning the lines in practice again."
Hotel deals: Charlotte Motor Speedway has gotten 50 hotels within an hour of the track to reduce room rates by 15% and waive minimum-stay requirements for those attending the Sprint All-Star Race on May 22 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30. The track is offering discounted ticket packages.
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