NASCAR: Doubleheaders OK with Danica Patrick
By Tina Akouris takouris@suntimes.com September 10, 2012 8:34PM
Danica Patrick
Updated: October 12, 2012 6:13AM
NASCAR lightning rod and Roscoe, Ill., native Danica Patrick will have a doubleheader race weekend when she drives in the Dollar General 300 Nationwide race on Saturday and the Geico 400 Sprint Cup race on Sunday.
Patrick is doing a part-time Cup schedule, but will run a full-time Cup slate in 2013 for Tony Stewart’s Stewart-Haas race team.
That doesn’t mean she’s shutting the door on going back to IndyCar for one race — the Indianapolis 500.
Patrick said at a news conference Friday in Richmond, Va., that she still is open to doing the iconic race but only if it was with the right team and she had a chance to win.
If Patrick finds the right team and sponsor, she would be pulling off double-duty that day. Because of her Cup commitment to Stewart-Haas, Patrick would race in the Indy 500 in the morning and compete in the Coca-Cola 600 Cup race at night in Charlotte. The last driver to do both was Robby Gordon in 2003. Stewart did the feat in 1999 and 2001.
A good omen?
Defending Cup champion Stewart finished fourth Saturday at Richmond to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship for the eighth time in his career. Drivers endured two rain delays, and the race ended around midnight.
Stewart started the race from the 28th spot and was able to work his way up through the field. After making his way to the front, Stewart led for 15 laps.
United we stand
To commemorate the 9/11 attacks, Brad Keselowski on Tuesday will visit firefighters at Engine Co. 70 in Edison Park. While at the firehouse, Keselowski, fourth in the points standings, will take part in firefighting drills. He also will distribute Geico 400 tickets to the firefighters and their families.
