IndyCar star Danica Patrick and her plans to depart the series for the US stock car circuit were the talk of the track as racers gathered for Sunday's IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Patrick became the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in 2008 when she captured the IndyCar event at Japan's Twin Ring Motegi oval. She will move to NASCAR in 2012 after finishing the current IndyCar campaign.
The American is finishing her fifth season with Andretti Autosport, having become one of IndyCar's signature drivers but also having taken time to drive in select stock car events in recent years.
"I'm excited for what lies ahead in the coming year and beyond," Patrick said. "If it was about money, I would have gone a long time ago.
"I just go where my heart tells me, where my gut tells me to go, where I'm enjoying my life the most, where I feel like I can have the most success. I've truly enjoyed my experience in NASCAR. I want to do it full time.
"I really feel confident I can be successful."
Patrick's departure comes as a blow to IndyCar more from a marketing standpoint than a competition angle, although she became the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 thanks to a refuel strategy in 2005 and reached the Indy 500 podium in 2009 with a third-place showing.
"Danica has always been a great ambassador for IndyCar and there is no doubt she has left a positive impression on our sport," IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard said.
"She has touched millions of fans and many that were new to motorsports. Danica attracted a fan base that every athlete and sports property in the world would love to have. We wish her continued success with her new direction."
Michael Andretti, who owned Patrick's car and at times acted as her race strategist, wished her success."Danica enjoyed the most success ever by a female driver in the world of motorsports and was a leading marketing force," he said. "I want to thank Danica for her valued time with our team."
Patrick, who drove in her first stock car event in February of last year at Daytona, will drive for JR Motorsports in a secondary NASCAR series and for Stewart-Haas in the main series in 2012.NASCAR chairman Brian France was happy the most popular form of US auto racing was adding Patrick to its stable of racers.
"Danica has shown solid improvement in NASCAR and we believe her decision will be exciting for our fans and a great challenge for her," France said.
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