Patrick To Race In First 4 Nationwide Series Events of 2011
JR Motorsports Unveils New No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Friday, October 15, 2010) – Danica Patrick will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in the first four NASCAR Nationwide Series events of 2011, JR Motorsports officials announced today at a press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The races beyond that have not been determined, although Patrick will take on a schedule similar to that of her 13-race rookie campaign.
The first four races include the season-opening DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 13) followed by the 200-mile race at Phoenix International Raceway (Feb. 26), the 300-mile race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, (March 5) and the 150-mile dash at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 19). Patrick will then return to the IndyCar Series to dedicate full-time attention to open-wheel racing, making sporadic returns to NASCAR throughout the year.
Friday’s announcement also included the unveiling of the 2011 paint scheme for Patrick’s No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet (photos available upon request). JR Motorsports co-owners Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury Jr., the team’s general manager and crew chief, respectively, joined Patrick for the unveiling and schedule announcement.
“I know we’re all anxious to get the whole schedule put in place, but I’m extremely excited to be able to confirm our participation in the first four races of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, and also unveil another beautiful Go Daddy car,” Patrick said. “Go Daddy has been extremely good to me in both series. I know Bob Parsons is a huge fan of our racing program, and I thank him for all the support. We’ll have four extremely challenging and unique races to start our 2011 season, and I’m anxious to return to a lot of those tracks with at least a little bit of familiarity.”
One track she will not be returning to is Bristol Motor Speedway, as it will mark her first appearance at the challenging half-mile speed bowl. Patrick will join teammates Aric Almirola and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in competing in the Bristol race.
“Danica has shown immense dedication in her NASCAR endeavor,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “She proved last week (at Auto Club Speedway) that even a little bit of experience goes a long way, as she drove an exceptional race. Starting this weekend at Charlotte, she will compete in each of the final five races of 2010. Add the first four Nationwide races of next season, and that’s a solid stretch of seat time she will get to continue learning the intricacies of these race cars. She has done a commendable job so far given the limited seat time, and we appreciate her work ethic and dedication to Go Daddy and our race team.”
Patrick is currently in her first season in competitive stock car racing, as she has driven the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in eight of 13 scheduled races so far this year. She just wrapped her 2010 IndyCar campaign, finishing 10th in the championship point standings.
“When Danica drives, she drives with a vengeance,” said Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons. “She’s as passionate a competitor as anyone in sports right now, and an undeniable inspiration for people who dream big!”
