Danica Patrick has secured a ride in next month’s Daytona 500, the season opener for the 2018 Monster Energy Cup Series and what will be the final race of Patrick’s NASCAR career.
Danica Patrick secures Daytona 500 ride
Patrick will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Premium Motorsports in next month’s Daytona 500.
Patrick will drive a Chevrolet fielded by Premium Motorsports, car No. 7 — the same number she had when she first entered NASCAR in 2010. Tony Eury Jr. will serve as crew chief, reuniting him with Patrick as the two previously worked together for 51 Xfinity Series races across three seasons.
The Associated Press first reported the signing.
GoDaddy, Patrick’s former longtime sponsor, announced last week it would return to back her effort to race in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 and the Indianapolis 500 on May 27. Patrick said in November she would contest both races then conclude her driving career.
“I’ll be back in GoDaddy green, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet with Tony Jr. in my ear again,” Patrick said in a statement. “It all makes my last NASCAR race just that much sweeter.”
Because Premium holds one of 36 charters (NASCAR’s equivalent of a franchise), Patrick is assured a starting spot in the 40-car Daytona 500 field. Premium will receive engineering and technical support from Richard Childress Racing, which fields cars for Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman. RCR will also provide Premium with engines.
Patrick has not finalized her Indianapolis 500 plans, a race she finished third in 2009 — the highest finish by a female driver in that race. Her eighth-place finish in the 2013 Daytona 500 is also the highest by a female driver.
Although she is eligible, Patrick will not run in The Clash, an exhibition race held one week prior to the Daytona 500. Patrick earned a spot in the event by winning the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500.
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