Danica Patrick’s NASCAR Schedule For 2011 Includes 12 Races

NASCAR fans at Bristol and Montreal are among those who will get their first taste of Danica Mania this season, according to Danica Patrick’s 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

The schedule, announced Wednesday, includes 12 races – one less than Patrick ran last year. The Go Daddy girl will make her stock car debuts at Bristol, Montreal, Richmond and Kansas.

Patrick’s other eight races are tracks she ran last year: Daytona (twice), Phoenix (twice), Las Vegas, Chicago, Texas (fall race) and Homestead.

If you’re wondering which tracks will miss out on the opportunity to promote Danica’s presence at their venues this year, the unlucky losers are Dover, New Hampshire, Fontana, Charlotte and Michigan (she also raced at Gateway last season, but that track shut down).

Patrick had one top-20 finish in her 13 races last year, placing 19th in the season finale at Homestead.

“I have a much different perspective heading into this season,” she said via press release. “I know a little more of what to expect, and I’m not as out of my element. I’ve had a year to work with my team, and there is a comfort level that comes with returning to some of these tracks. It’s obvious experience goes a long way in this sport.”

Though her appearances at Richmond and Kansas will be Patrick’s first in a stock car, she’s raced at both venues in IndyCar.

Perhaps the most interesting of the tracks on her itinerary are Bristol and Montreal. Bristol is known as being notoriously difficult for beginners, and Patrick has struggled on road courses like Montreal on the IndyCar circuit.

Here’s Patrick’s entire 2011 NASCAR schedule: