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SPORTS Thursday 8 March 2018

Patrick shifting gears for return to Indianapolis 500

By JENNA FRYER her plans to retire after rac-
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The ing the Daytona 500 and
first leg of the "Danica Dou- Indianapolis 500 this year,
ble" was a bit of a bust after many believed Patrick was
Danica Patrick crashed out closing in on a deal with
of the Daytona 500. Chip Ganassi Racing.
She still has the Indianapolis A partnership with Ganassi
500 ahead of her, and Pat- never materialized, and
rick has set an extremely Team Penske and Andretti
high bar for the final race Autosport already had
of her career. full lineups. Carpenter isn't
"I'm going there to win the exactly a second choice
thing," Patrick said. because his organization
Patrick begins her Indy 500 makes the Indy 500 a prior-
preparations in earnest ity.
next week with a seat fit- "Indianapolis is pretty much
ting at Ed Carpenter Rac- everything," Carpenter
ing in Indianapolis. She will told AP. "We all put a huge
climb behind the wheel of emphasis and focus on In-
an Indy car for the first time dianapolis and being com-
since 2011 on March 29 petitive there. We believe
during a Chevrolet test at in going there and being
Indianapolis Motor Speed- fast and having a chance
way. to win that race. Of course,
"For sure I'm nervous," Pat- we won't really know what
rick told The Associated we've got until the month
Press in a telephone inter- of May and everyone puts This Feb. 17, 2018 file photo shows Danica Patrick preparing for practice for the NASCAR Daytona
500 Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
view. "I'm nervous because their cards on the table." Associated Press
it's been a long time and Carpenter wasn't in posi-
anything that matters, you tion to offer Patrick a ride
get nervous for. And on top when she first announced for a reason. When I had a the Indy 500 if I'd still retire," dominated sport."
of being gone a long time, the "Danica Double." He chance to offer her a seat, she said. "I'd still retire. What GoDaddy allowed Patrick
I want to do a good job. I was still finalizing his 2018 I was happy she hadn't better way to go out?" to design the logo for the
want it to go well, I want it lineup for the IndyCar sea- moved on and found an- GoDaddy, Patrick's former "Danica Double" and she
to be like the old days and son, which opens Sunday other deal. She checks all sponsor in both IndyCar also has freedom on her
have a shot and win the in St. Petersburg, Florida. the boxes." and NASCAR, teamed with Indy 500 firesuit. As for the
damn thing." When he had the regular Patrick raced for Premium Patrick for her double and No. 13, neither Patrick nor
Patrick will drive the No. 13 season handled, Carpen- Motorsports at the Daytona is helping her prepare for Carpenter is superstitious
Chevrolet for Carpenter, ter was able to discuss op- 500, where she teamed life outside of the race car. enough to avoid the num-
who will field three cars in tions with Patrick. with Tony Eury Jr., the crew "Let there be no question ber so many racers stay
the Indianapolis 500. Car- Patrick is the highest-finish- chief who guided her when about Danica's ability to away from. There were only
penter, a two-time Indy 500 ing woman in the Indy 500 she first moved to NAS- go out with a win at what so many available numbers
pole winner, will drive his en- — third in 2009 — and is the CAR. She was involved in is arguably the most rec- for Patrick to choose from
try and ECR fulltime driver only woman to lead laps a wreck and finished 35th, ognized race in the world," for Indy, and when told
Spencer Pigot will pilot the at both Indy and Daytona. but left Daytona pleased said GoDaddy chief mar- 13 was up for grabs, she
second Chevrolet. Pigot In seven previous starts at with her effort. keting officer Barb Rech- claimed it for herself.
has two previous Indy 500 Indy, she finished outside Patrick took a brief vaca- terman. "One of the best "Drivers like to say green is
starts. Landing a seat with the top 10 only once. tion after Daytona to Mex- parts of all this for us is that unlucky and I never found
Carpenter, the only driver "Danica has always been ico with new boyfriend, it's never really been about that with my green Go-
and owner in the IndyCar comfortable and quick at Green Bay Packers quarter- whether she wins — it's Daddy paint scheme," Pat-
Series, took time to put to- Indy," Carpenter said. "The back Aaron Rodgers, and more about Danica's mox- rick said. "Why can't it be
gether but gives Patrick an timing on this just worked is now ready to go to work ie, her commitment and considered lucky number
honest shot at a strong fin- out and Danica and I both and end her career on top. her ability to compete at 13? Maybe it's the number
ish. When she announced believe that things happen "Someone asked me if I win the highest levels of a male- I drive to a win."q