JR Motorsports Announces 2010 Schedule for Danica Patrick

by 4ever3 on Jan 28, 2010 10:09 PM EST in NASCAR Related Press Releases Comment 3 comments

Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images via nascar-assets.americaneagle.com

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2010) – Danica Patrick will compete in 12 NASCAR Nationwide Series races with the possibility of 13 in her debut season with JR Motorsports, co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today.

The only event uncertain on Patrick’s schedule is the Feb. 13 season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet is entered in the event, but its driver will not be determined until after Patrick’s race in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event on Feb. 6. Patrick will compete in the Daytona ARCA race in a JR Motorsports-prepared No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet.

Beyond Daytona, Patrick’s 2010 campaign is confirmed starting with the Feb. 20 race at Auto Club Speedway and the Feb. 27 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Following Vegas, Patrick will take a four-month hiatus to focus on her IndyCar Series responsibilities before returning to drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevy in the Nationwide Series June 26 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The remainder of her schedule includes Nationwide races at Chicagoland Speedway (July 9), Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 14), Dover International Speedway (Sept. 25), Auto Club Speedway (Oct. 9), Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 15), Gateway International Raceway (Oct. 23), Texas Motor Speedway (Nov. 6), Phoenix International Raceway (Nov. 13), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 20).

"I’m thrilled to announce our 2010 Nationwide Series schedule," said Patrick. "Like I’ve said before, we just want to be smart and calculative about this process. The tracks we’ve selected not only compliment the IndyCar schedule, but will give me quality seat time at a variety of facilities."

While Patrick’s participation in the Daytona race is to be determined, JR Motorsports will still field two cars for the Nationwide Series season opener. Due to sponsorship reallocation for the upcoming season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevrolet in place of Kelly Bires in what is the first of two scheduled races for the JRM co-owner. Bires will return to the seat of the No. 88 Chevy the following week at Auto Club Speedway and could be called upon to drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet at Daytona should Patrick not compete in that event.

"We want to give Danica the best opportunity to compete at Daytona, and that includes making sure she is 100 percent comfortable in that driver’s seat," Kelley Earnhardt said. "The Nationwide race there is perhaps the most competitive race of the year. Once the ARCA race is complete, we will get with Danica and make a decision based on the best interests of her, the team, and our sponsor Go Daddy. I’m extremely pleased with the working relationship between Danica and (crew chief) Tony Eury Jr. They are communicating well and working extremely hard in preparing for this season."

GoDaddy.com will serve as primary sponsor for 10 of Patrick’s 12 races in the No. 7 Chevrolet in 2010.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s seven-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2008 JRM enjoyed a breakout season with four Nationwide Series victories between its two teams. The company followed suit with four more wins in 2009. The JR Motorsports facilities are based out of Mooresville, N.C., and include the JR Nation retail store, Hammerhead Entertainment, and DEJ Realty. For more information on JR Motorsports, visit www.dalejr.com.

Danica Patrick’s 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule
Date	Venue
2/13	Daytona International Speedway (TBD)
2/20	Auto Club Speedway
2/27	Las Vegas Motor Speedway
6/26	New Hampshire Motor Speedway
7/9	Chicagoland Speedway
8/14	Michigan International Speedway
9/25	Dover International Speedway
10/9	Auto Club Speedway
10/15	Charlotte Motor Speedway
10/23	Gateway International Raceway
11/6	Texas Motor Speedway
11/13	Phoenix International Speedway
11/20	Homestead-Miami Speedway

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Comments

I hope she starts in Daytona

My biggest reason for this is that I think it’s better for the sport. If she starts in Daytona that means you have a bigger audience (with possibly some new fans) watching the day before the Daytona 500. This will give Nascar’s biggest race a little bit more momentum. The other reason why I want her to start at Daytona is that I don’t wan’t anyone’s first impression of Nascar racing to be a race at Auto Club speedway. That would be a great way to get people to tune out.

"I won't sign for a penny less than fifteen hundred dollars" Honus Wagner

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Jan 28, 2010 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Daytona also gives her a great chance to steal a win in her first race. What I’m surprized by is the fact that she didn’t schedule any road course races. She’d have a great chance to win at Road America. That’s always been the strong suit of IRL drivers in NASCAR. Road Races. Missed opportunity there.

by Troy J. on Jan 31, 2010 9:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

JR Motorsports is a mess. The 88 barely has sponsorship, the 7 (was 5) is only running a handful of races. Last year was so strong for them, but Kelly Bires isn’t as big of a sponsorship draw as Keselowski, huh? I could see Patrick taking over the 88 next season and that being a one car operation again.

by Troy J. on Jan 31, 2010 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs