MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet this Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.
Patrick, Earnhardt, and team officials convened Sunday following the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event at Daytona, in which Patrick raced to a sixth-place finish in her stock-car debut. The decision for Patrick to compete in the Daytona Nationwide Series event is supported by sponsor GoDaddy.com and JRM co-owners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and Rick Hendrick.
"To be the one driving that Go Daddy car at Daytona means a lot to me," Patrick said. "Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. The ARCA race was a blast, and I'm not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing."
Patrick's entry in the Drive4COPD 300 puts her in a JR Motorsports tandem with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will drive the No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevrolet. Patrick will continue her Nationwide Series schedule on Feb. 20 at Auto Club Speedway and Feb. 27 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Patrick is guaranteed starting positions in all three races based off JRM’s acquisition of points from CJM Racing’s No. 11 team, which finished 15th in the 2009 Nationwide Series owners point standings.
"I think Danica proved to everyone that she can compete in stock cars at a high level, and right now seat time is extremely important," Kelley Earnhardt said. "She has worked extremely hard during the past two months for this opportunity. Her dedication and work ethic is infectious."
GoDaddy.com will be the primary sponsor for 11 of Patrick's 13 Nationwide Series races in 2010. The world's largest domain name registrar also served as primary sponsor for Patrick's ARCA debut last week. She started 12th in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 and finished sixth, including a late rally from 23rd position all the way to the front pack in just under 20 laps.
"Danica's got what it takes, and it's obvious from the ARCA race NASCAR is right up her alley," said Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons. "She's ready to drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in Daytona and is sure to give the fans an exciting show just like she did in the ARCA race."
