No NASCAR for Danica... Joins
Andretti Green Racing for 2007
by Dan Peters
Well all you NASCAR Fans.. You will have to wait For Danica.
It was announced that Danica Patrick will join Andretti Green Racing in
2007: Andretti Green Racing announced it has signed Danica
Patrick to drive one of the team’s IndyCar Series
cars beginning in 2007.
Patrick, the 2005 Bombardier Rookie of the Year, is the third driver
under contract to Andretti Green Racing for next season.
She joins 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan, who
won the July 23 race at The Milwaukee Mile, and Marco
Andretti, who was named the JPMorgan Chase Rookie of the
Year after finishing second in the 90th Indianapolis 500 in May.
“I’ve said all along that I just want to win races,” Patrick said
during an interview with ESPNews. “Andretti Green has won
more races than anyone in the series. I’ve said all along that my
passion, my heart; my soul has always been in Indy Car Racing.
If there was a team that was going to give me a chance to
win in the Indy Racing League, that’s where I’m going to be.”
Andretti Green currently fields four full-time entries in the IndyCar
Series and intends to do so again in 2007. The team fielded a fifth car
in the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 for team co-owner Michael
Andretti, who drove to a third-place finish.
“Today is an exciting day for everyone at Andretti Green
Racing,” team co-owner Michael Andretti said. “Danica has
shown great talent during her first two seasons in the IndyCar Series
and has impressed Kim (Green), Kevin (Savoree) and myself with her
development as a driver.
“Our focus has been and always will be on winning races and
winning championships. We certainly believe Danica will do that. She
has made it very clear that one of her goals as a driver is to
win the Indianapolis 500 and we are looking forward to giving
her a great opportunity to do that."
Andretti Green Racing, which has won IndyCar Series driver and team
championships the past two years, is the winningest team in series
history with 22 victories. It also fields two cars in the Indy Pro
Series.
Patrick, coming off her second consecutive fourth-place finish,
was in the final year of her contract with Rahal Letterman Racing. The
team also fields cars for Buddy Rice and Jeff Simmons.
“I obviously informed them recently that I wasn’t going to
be coming back to the team, and thanked (Bobby) for every thing
he’s done,” Patrick said. “Nobody stepped up four and
five years ago. He did and gave me a chance and brought me to the Indy
Racing League. I wouldn’t be here without him. I will be forever
grateful for what he’s done for me.”
More Danica
Patrick News...
PEAK announces promotion for Chicagoland
INDY Car event: PEAK announced a promotion that will reward one lucky
fan should Danica Patrick win the PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by
Mr. Clean on Sept. 10.
One fan, who registers online at www.300forthe300.com,
will win $300,000 courtesy of PEAK and Mr. Clean if Patrick
wins the race.
“PEAK is pleased to be part of the thrills and excitement that
IndyCar Series racing brings to Chicagoland Speedway,” said
Jeff Stauffer, vice president of marketing at Old World Industries.
“This year, we’re hoping to make our race even more
exciting
for fans by offering them the chance to enter the PEAK 300
for the 300 Sweepstakes. If Danica wins the PEAK-sponsored race,
so does one lucky consumer.”
Patrick has served as spokesperson for the PEAK brand since mid-2005
and is featured in the PEAK national advertising campaign. PEAK
Antifreeze announced earlier this year that the brand signed an
agreement with the Rahal Letterman Racing
Team to feature the PEAK logo on Patrick’s No. 16 Rahal Letterman
Racing Team Argent Honda-powered Dallara. The
logo debuted at the Indianapolis 500 and will be featured on her
car during the PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean.
“I’m thrilled to be returning home for the Chicago race and
to be part of the PEAK 300 for the 300 Sweepstakes,” Patrick
said. “It offers one of my fans the chance to feel like they are
a part of the race and adds a fun and unique element to the racing
experience. Not only am I able to compete for my team and for PEAK and
Mr. Clean, but also my fans that have been so supportive of me over
the years.”
