MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2010) – 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 (Fontana, Calif.) and Feb. 27 at Las Vegas (Nev.) 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.”

Check out all the sights from the first race of the 2010 NASCAR season, no points on the line, just an all or nothing dash for cash.  The Budweiser Shootout, where Kevin Harvick took home the checkered flag for the second year in a row.

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PHOTO CREDIT: NASCAR MEDIA

RACE RECAP | BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT
5 Denny Hamlin
4 Kyle Busch
3 Jamie McMurray
2 Kasey Kahne

VICTORY LANE

1 Kevin Harvick becomes the 4th driver to win back to back Budweiser Shootouts. He grabs the checkered flag, trophy and the $200,000 price money. It’s the record 7th win for Richard Childress Racing for this event.

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY

Just before the competition caution was supposed to come out, Michael Waltrip got loose and went for a wild ride creating the 10 minute break between the 25 lap segment and the 50 lap segment.

Carl Edwards led heading into the break.

Tony Stewart’s “shark-fin” wing fell off his #14 at some point, so his crew had to attach a new one during the 10 minute break.

Kurt Busch went for a lawn mowing expedition through the frontstretch infield after getting tapped by Mark Martin. The 2 car flew for 2500 feet with it’s hood up over the windshield leaving Kurt blind and just along for the ride. It’s the second mangled 2 car of the weekend after a similar crash in Shootout practice. Mark Martin admitted fault for the wreck.

Jeff Burton spun for a caution after a flat tire.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran in the back of the pack, much like his 2009 season

Half way through a fuel run, these cars really get loose and move around a lot in the draft

A massive wreck ended the race when Jeff Gordon got into the 16 of Greg Biffle. Cars involved included Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, and more

Danica Patrick made her stock car debut at Daytona on Saturday and managed a 6th place finish her first time out. She had a very impressive race, where she got a taste of everything. Danica had no problems handling restarts, avoiding wrecks, pit stops, drafting, even took a trip through the infield with only minor damage. After her wild ride, she caught back up with the draft and finally did some beating and banging with Ricky Carmichael coming to the checkered flag to pick up another position.

GATORADE DUEL AT DAYTONA RACE LINEUP #1
1 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
2 39 Ryan Newman US Army Chevrolet
3 21 * Bill Elliott Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
4 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Chevrolet
5 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
6 18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Toyota
7 24 Jeff Gordon Dupont Chevrolet
8 87 * Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
9 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
10 51 * Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
11 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
12 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
13 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
14 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Toyota
15 29 Kevin Harvick Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
16 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
17 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
18 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
19 32 * Reed Sorenson Dollar General Toyota
20 13 * Max Papis GEICO Toyota
21 34 John Andretti Window World Cares Ford
22 97 * Jeff Fuller NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
23 38 Robert Richardson Mahindra USA Tractors Ford
24 37 Travis Kvapil Extenze Ford
25 46 * Terry Cook # Whitney Motorsports Dodge
26 55 * Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota
27 27 * Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Toyota

GATORADE DUEL AT DAYTONA RACE LINEUP #2

1 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet
2 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
3 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge
4 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
5 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Mobil 1 Dodge
6 82 * Scott Speed Red Bull Toyota
7 47 Marcos Ambrose Kroger Floral Toyota
8 12 Brad Keselowski Penske Dodge
9 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
10 71 * Bobby Labonte TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet
11 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet
12 00 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota
13 98 Paul Menard Peak / Menards Ford
14 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Ford
15 36 * Mike Bliss Wave Energy Drink Chevrolet
16 7 Robby Gordon Monster Energy Toyota
17 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
18 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
19 19 Elliott Sadler Stanley Ford
20 90 * Casey Mears Keyed-Up Motorsports Chevrolet
21 49 * David Gilliland Warner Music / Larry the Cable Guy Toyota
22 09 * Aric Almirola Phoenix Racing Chevrolet
23 26 Boris Said Window World Cares Ford
24 66 * Dave Blaney PRISM Motorsports Toyota
25 75 * Derrike Cope Asset Protect / Strutmasterspro.com Dodge
26 92 * Mike Wallace K Automotive Dodge
27 57 * Norm Benning Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet