Danica Patrick switches to NASCAR

Danica Patrick, the pin up girl of motor racing driver and a top model, has sensationally switched codes to compete in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) championship full time.

Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, the 29 year old's best ever finish in the IndyCar Series was third and in March she finished fourth in the NASCAR rankings.

That position was a record for a female driver and that helped convince the brunette to make a permanent move, in what she describes as 'the worst kept secret in motor sport'.

The news that Patrick was switching to fendered cars came as no surprise.

One of the most marketable stars in auto racing, she had been rumored to be headed to NASCAR even before she ran her first stock race, at an ARCA series event at Daytona in 2010. and moving up to IndyCars.

Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season.

With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race.

She placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal best for her at the track, and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history.

She had her best career finish of 4th in series on March 5, 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the best finish by a woman in a NASCAR top circuit.

'If it was about money, I'd have gone a long time ago,' Patrick said from GoDaddy's offices in north Scottsdale.

'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, to the point that I want to do it full time.'

Patrick will run most of her races in the lower tier Nationwide Series with only a handful of Sprint Cup races, but her switch to NASCAR should be a big boost to a sport that's been hurt by a sagging economy and a dip in popularity from its heyday just a few years back.

'We are pleased Danica Patrick has chosen to race full time in NASCAR in 2012,' NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement.

'She has demonstrated a strong desire to compete and NASCAR provides the best opportunity to race against the top drivers in the world with the largest and most loyal fan base in motorsports on a week to week basis.

The star signs on the dotted line

'Danica has shown solid improvement in NASCAR and we believe her decision to run full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with additional races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be exciting for our fans and a great challenge for her.'

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said in a statement: 'Danica has always been a great ambassador for IndyCar, and there is no doubt she has left a positive impression on our sport.

'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 should give her a great farewell the rest of this season as she opens a new page in her career and wish her continued success with her new direction.'

She broke down barriers but she is vastly overrated. Being a woman in indycar is not unique anymore. In fact, if Simona De Silverstro had Danica's car, she'd do much better. Danica is the only driver in Andretti Autosports that has not won a race this year. And she hates road course so F1's out.Danica Patrick switches to NASCAR

Danica Patrick, the pin up girl of motor racing driver and a top model, has sensationally switched codes to compete in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) championship full time.

Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, the 29 year old's best ever finish in the IndyCar Series was third and in March she finished fourth in the NASCAR rankings.

That position was a record for a female driver and that helped convince the brunette to make a permanent move, in what she describes as 'the worst kept secret in motor sport'.

The news that Patrick was switching to fendered cars came as no surprise.

One of the most marketable stars in auto racing, she had been rumored to be headed to NASCAR even before she ran her first stock race, at an ARCA series event at Daytona in 2010. and moving up to IndyCars.

Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season.

With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race.

She placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal best for her at the track, and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history.

She had her best career finish of 4th in series on March 5, 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the best finish by a woman in a NASCAR top circuit.

'If it was about money, I'd have gone a long time ago,' Patrick said from GoDaddy's offices in north Scottsdale.

'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, to the point that I want to do it full time.'

Patrick will run most of her races in the lower tier Nationwide Series with only a handful of Sprint Cup races, but her switch to NASCAR should be a big boost to a sport that's been hurt by a sagging economy and a dip in popularity from its heyday just a few years back.

'We are pleased Danica Patrick has chosen to race full time in NASCAR in 2012,' NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement.

'She has demonstrated a strong desire to compete and NASCAR provides the best opportunity to race against the top drivers in the world with the largest and most loyal fan base in motorsports on a week to week basis.

The star signs on the dotted line

'Danica has shown solid improvement in NASCAR and we believe her decision to run full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with additional races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be exciting for our fans and a great challenge for her.'

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said in a statement: 'Danica has always been a great ambassador for IndyCar, and there is no doubt she has left a positive impression on our sport.

'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 should give her a great farewell the rest of this season as she opens a new page in her career and wish her continued success with her new direction.'

She broke down barriers but she is vastly overrated. Being a woman in indycar is not unique anymore. In fact, if Simona De Silverstro had Danica's car, she'd do much better. Danica is the only driver in Andretti Autosports that has not won a race this year. And she hates road course so F1's out.Danica Patrick switches to NASCAR

Danica Patrick, the pin up girl of motor racing driver and a top model, has sensationally switched codes to compete in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) championship full time.

Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, the 29 year old's best ever finish in the IndyCar Series was third and in March she finished fourth in the NASCAR rankings.

That position was a record for a female driver and that helped convince the brunette to make a permanent move, in what she describes as 'the worst kept secret in motor sport'.

The news that Patrick was switching to fendered cars came as no surprise.

One of the most marketable stars in auto racing, she had been rumored to be headed to NASCAR even before she ran her first stock race, at an ARCA series event at Daytona in 2010. and moving up to IndyCars.

Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season.

With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race.

She placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal best for her at the track, and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history.

She had her best career finish of 4th in series on March 5, 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the best finish by a woman in a NASCAR top circuit.

'If it was about money, I'd have gone a long time ago,' Patrick said from GoDaddy's offices in north Scottsdale.

'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, to the point that I want to do it full time.'

Patrick will run most of her races in the lower tier Nationwide Series with only a handful of Sprint Cup races, but her switch to NASCAR should be a big boost to a sport that's been hurt by a sagging economy and a dip in popularity from its heyday just a few years back.

'We are pleased Danica Patrick has chosen to race full time in NASCAR in 2012,' NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said in a statement.

'She has demonstrated a strong desire to compete and NASCAR provides the best opportunity to race against the top drivers in the world with the largest and most loyal fan base in motorsports on a week to week basis.

The star signs on the dotted line

'Danica has shown solid improvement in NASCAR and we believe her decision to run full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with additional races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be exciting for our fans and a great challenge for her.'

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said in a statement: 'Danica has always been a great ambassador for IndyCar, and there is no doubt she has left a positive impression on our sport.

'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 should give her a great farewell the rest of this season as she opens a new page in her career and wish her continued success with her new direction.'

She broke down barriers but she is vastly overrated. Being a woman in indycar is not unique anymore. In fact, if Simona De Silverstro had Danica's car, she'd do much better. Danica is the only driver in Andretti Autosports that has not won a race this year. And she hates road course so F1's out.