Stewart-Haas plays down Patrick visit
Stewart Haas Racing officials confirmed that IndyCar star Danica Patrick visited the team's workshop this week but played down suggestions linking her with the outfit in the future
Patrick was spotted at the SHR headquarters in Kannapolis, North Carolina on Monday, where she was given a tour of the facilities and introduced to several team members according to the team.
The squad's owner and driver Tony Stewart was not in attendance on her visit because he was at Atlanta Motor Speedway completing a two-day tyres test for Goodyear.
"Danica Patrick was in the area and did visit Stewart-Haas Racing, said team spokesman Mike Arning. "While Tony Stewart was not at the shop - he was at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first of a two-day Goodyear tyre test - he has known Danica for some time and has always been a supporter of her racing career.
"Danica has had a standing invitation to visit Stewart-Haas Racing since Tony announced his intentions to become a driver/owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series a year ago. We simply facilitated a tour of the facility and introduced her to a handful of people who were at Stewart-Haas Racing on Monday."
IndyCar's most popular driver has never hidden her interest in NASCAR. Her current contract with Andretti-Green Racing expires at the end of the year and a move to America's biggest racing series is believed to be among her options for 2010, something she openly admitted last May.
Two weeks ago at Daytona, Stewart praised Patrick's abilities but said that it's hard to predict how successful she would be in NASCAR if she ever decided to make the switch from open-wheel racing.
The two-time Sprint Cup champion has been the only driver ever to win NASCAR and IndyCar titles, claiming the IRL championship in 1997 before switching full-time to the Sprint Cup in 1998, where he got his first crown three years later.
"Obviously she's gotten where she is because she has a ton of talent," said Stewart. "You don't back into winning races and getting to the upper levels of racing by not having talent.
"Nobody knows for sure what level of talent she's got as far as a stock car until she actually just gets in one. If she's serious about it, I don't know if she needs to get in a Late Model first and run some laps and then try to get back to a radial-tyred car. Only time will tell. If she's really serious, it's kind of a crossroad for her.
"I know it's been a topic of discussion but if it's something she really wants to do, she has to be committed to it."
Montoya's memories of a lost rival and rising star
Montoya's memories of a lost rival and rising star Montoya's memories of a lost rival and rising star
Montoya: Vettel F1 2019 issues more likely technical than mentality
Montoya: Vettel F1 2019 issues more likely technical than mentality Montoya: Vettel F1 2019 issues more likely technical than mentality
Leclerc reminds ex-Ferrari president di Montezemolo of young Lauda
Leclerc reminds ex-Ferrari president di Montezemolo of young Lauda Leclerc reminds ex-Ferrari president di Montezemolo of young Lauda
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole
MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole MotoGP Japanese GP: Martin smashes lap record for pole
Honda selects replacement for axed MotoGP technical boss Kokubu
Honda selects replacement for axed MotoGP technical boss Kokubu Honda selects replacement for axed MotoGP technical boss Kokubu
Loubet explains frightening WRC Rally Chile exit
Loubet explains frightening WRC Rally Chile exit Loubet explains frightening WRC Rally Chile exit
WRC Chile: Inspired Tanak ends eventful Friday leading Suninen
WRC Chile: Inspired Tanak ends eventful Friday leading Suninen WRC Chile: Inspired Tanak ends eventful Friday leading Suninen
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.