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Danica Patrick might one day drive in NASCAR, but she doesn't expect it will be next year. "I wouldn't say it was that big of a chance (of going) next year, but I'd say it's a fairly larger chance in the future," she said Tuesday from Los Angeles. -- Indianapolis Star

Patrick said her father, T.J., was within his right as her manager to investigate options in NASCAR, which was what he did Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. But that doesn't mean she will sign with a stock car team once her Indy-car contract with Rahal Letterman Racing of the Indy Racing League expires at season's end. "It's just good to get a feel from everybody where you stand with them," she said. "I do have some interest in NASCAR and for sure I like new challenges."
  -- Indianapolis Star

T.J. Patrick confirmed interest from several NASCAR and IRL teams and said it's natural that he would steer the options toward NASCAR if possible. "They're a lot safer, we all know that," he said Tuesday. "I'd be a fool not to want her there and if you were her father you would, too. But it's not my decision." 
  -- Indianapolis Star

According to one race fan, Danica Patrick could be the next big thing in a juggernaut of a sport where the idea of big is as common as earplugs. "Not that NASCAR needs a big boost, but I think it would be a big boost," said Bob Bahre, co-owner and chairman of the board of directors for the New Hampshire International Speedway. "Personally, I'd like to see the kid do it," he said. "She seems like a sweetheart."
  -- New Hampshire Union Leader

Michigan International Speedway management contacted Juan Pablo Montoya's new race team, Chip Ganassi Racing, on Tuesday to invite the Colombian to run both the ARCA Re/Max and Busch Grand National races at the Irish Hills track during the Nextel Cup weekend in August.
  -- Detroit Free Press

At least five cars hit the wall at Indianapolis during day one of testing for the Brickyard 400. In the morning session No. 40 David Stremme, No. 34 Chad Chaffin, No. 17 Matt Kenseth and No. 14 Sterling Marlin tore up sheet metal. Marlin's hit was the hardest as his car punched a hole in the turn two wall. Marlin was not injured. During the afternoon session No. 16 Greg Biffle brushed the wall.
  -- jayski.com

Nextel Cup Series driver Jeff Burton will replace Busch Series rookie Burney Lamar in Kevin Harvick Inc.'s No. 77 Chevrolet in Saturday's New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. KHI submitted the driver change to NASCAR officials Tuesday. Lamar apparently remains under contract with KHI, sources said.
   -- Charlotte Observer

Now that Mark Martin is saying he might run selected Cup races in 2007, there are those acting as if he's again putting off retirement. Again, he has never said he's retiring. In fact, he's careful to correct anyone who uses that word.
  -- Charlotte Observer

Robert Yates Racing hopes to get development driver Stephen Leicht approved for the Allstate 400 next month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 19-year-old driver tested at the track Monday and will test again Wednesday in preparation for his possible Nextel Cup debut in the No. 90 RYR Ford.
  -- SceneDaily.com

His racing career cut short by a traumatic brain injury, former NASCAR star Ernie Irvan will return to the track at Pocono Raceway later this month for a special charity event. Irvan's nonprofit organization, Race2Safety, is partnering with the Brain Injury Association of America for a fund-raising walk on July 21. The event, scheduled for 6 p.m., will follow Nextel Cup qualifying for the Pennsylvania 500.
  -- Philadelphia Inquirer

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