On Danica Patrick And IndyCar Notes

Danica, Danica, Danica. She’s been everywhere lately. She’s in the news, on television, in commercials, in chat rooms, all over the internet. The most popular driver in the IndyCar Series is the hottest commodity and rightfully so. She is in the top-5 in points and overall the best performing of the non-red cars so far this year. Of course the ‘red cars’ are considered the two top teams, Team Penske and Target-Chip Ganassi Racing.

SPEEDTV.com is reporting that Ganassi is working on a deal to bring her into their fold. If I’m Danica, this makes sense. Andretti-Green Racing (AGR) is easily the third best team in the ICS, however the gap between second and third has been inching further and further apart each year.

Represented by the high-powered International Management Group (IMG), Patrick joins the likes of high profile athletes such as Peyton and Eli Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tiger Woods and Jeff Gordon. Apparently they have a Fortune500 company ready to jump in. Adding fuel to the fire was highly touted Alex Lloyd leaving Ganassi to pursue further options. With Danica coming as a third car, Lloyd would’ve been the forgotten man. The 2007 Indy Lights champion has only driven the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona the last two years. Young drivers need to be on the track, not walking their dog.

Patrick’s 21 million-dollar contract with AGR and Motorola expires at the end of the year. Furthermore, Patrick has said in interviews that her goals include winning the Indy 500 and a championship. Dave Kallmann of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has an excellent article spelling out five reasons why she is staying, all I agree with. Basically coming down to, winning the Indy 500 and a championship is her goal as stated above. The decision comes down to going to a situation where she can win, jumping to Sprint Cup would not. An IndyCar driver as a rule struggle, in recent history, the lone exception is Tony Stewart. Right now, she is the IndyCar Series. If she moved to NASCAR, she’d have to share the spotlight with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Stewart and Junior. Thus, it makes sense, going to Ganassi is a step up for her.

For the sake of IndyCar racing, Danica to Ganassi would be huge. One can only imagine the media frenzy if she wins the Indy 500 next year.

Ryan Hunter-Reay has switched over to the No. 14 ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt Racing Team. Hunter-Reay (RHR), will be in the car for the rest of the year. Initially, Vision Racing Team owner, Tony George offered RHR to Foyt before the Texas race. “We all feel Ryan will be able to contribute to their program and provide continuity for the rest of the season while they await Vitor’s (Meira) return,” said George. Meira was injured in this year’s Indy 500 and is expected out for the year. The Indianapolis Star reported this morning in an interview with Meira that he is aiming for the season finale in Homestead as his return. Perhaps he’ll be in the No. 41?

Look for Richard Antinucci in the 3G Racing No. 98 at Watkins Glen. The team which started with Stanton Barrett in the car and then had Tomas Scheckter in the car at Texas will give the 28-year old American a chance on the historic road course. “To sit idle while the open-wheel season kicks off is gutting, but to go out there in an IndyCar as I did yesterday and Tuesday, and as I’ll do at the Glen in July is fantastic. I can’t find the words to thank the Team 3G enough: despite the worst economy of our lifetimes they fought hard to give me a chance. ”

According to his web-site Antinucci took part in the IndyCar test which occurred on Wednesday. We practiced mostly in the afternoon, and put in some laps on Wednesday morning. Considering it was my first time in the car, I’m quite happy. All that time spent in the gym was well worth it: physically I am fine, even my neck did not bother me. We had to fit new tires just on Wednesday afternoon, whilst Andretti Green, KV and D&B drivers clocked their best times in the morning, when the track condition was better. But the July 5 grid wasn’t set yesterday, so we focused on our own program. We focused on learning as much as possible about the car, and now we need some time to really evaluate the data and see where we can make improvements. Owen Snyder (Team 3G crew chief, who has claimed two Indy 500 wins) was kind enough to give me some leeway on road-course technical feedback. Together we aim to push forward.”

Steve Zautke

Steve Zautke, a Milwaukee, WI native, was raised in the sport of auto racing. His father, Bill, was a movie photographer that shot racing footage at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s Steve’s first professional job in racing was as an Emergency Medical Technician at tracks such as Angell Park and Hales Corners Speedway (1988-1991). Steve has also worked for the Milwaukee Mile as videographer, in media relations and historian (1993-2011). Steve also has worked as a reporter for Racing Information Systems (RIS) and has written features for ‘Vintage Oval Racing’ and ‘Victory Lane’ magazines. Most recently, Steve has written a book on Road America for Arcadia Publishing. ( http://www.amazon.com/Road-America-Nascar-Library-Collection/dp/1467111457 ) Steve co-hosts “Sparky’s Final Inspection” a motorsports-based radio show with hosts, Steve “Sparky” Fifer and “NASCAR Girl” Summer Santana on Sports Radio 1250AM in Milwaukee and is also available on the internet at www.Sportradio1250.com. A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Induction Committee, Steve follows all types of racing from the dirt tracks to Formula One.

racingnation.com

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