Patrick still working on NASCAR deal

Speaking during her team's test at Homestead today, Patrick remained tight-lipped about her new AGR deal - which has been all but confirmed by the team - and hinted that a progressive move into NASCAR was still on the cards.

The 27-year-old IndyCar race winner confirmed she is still working on dovetailing NASCAR outings with her single seater schedule, although she would not talk about any specifics.

"I'm definitely still looking into this NASCAR stuff and when we figure out what that is, we'll announce it. But we haven't figured it out yet," said Patrick.

Earlier this month former IRL and Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart said Patrick was seriously considering the move after meeting with her at the Stewart Haas Racing shop. He would not deny the possibility of Patrick making a few stock car outings alongside a full-time IndyCar drive in 2010.

"She wants to stay successful where she's at, but in the meantime try to figure out a way to be able to drive and get some seat time in a [NASCAR] car to where she can start learning [so] when she does come out she's got her act together," said Stewart.

Patrick admitted that her 2009 IndyCar season had been a struggle. She is yet to win a race this year, but her consistent results have placed her fifth in the standings - behind only the Ganassi and Penske drivers, and ahead of her three AGR team-mates.

She is upbeat about changes taking place inside the AGR organisation, which see Michael Andretti take full control of the racing team and partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree focusing on the Andretti Green Promotions business, which runs the St Petersburg and Toronto races.

"We've definitely struggled but we're looking at ways to fix that, change that, make sure that we're competitive again on the road courses, and really everywhere we've been a little bit off, but mostly on road courses," said Patrick.

"I'm happy about the changes that are happening for next year for the team. I think that they're very good."