Danica? Kelley's deal, Junior says - among other things
Thursday, Dec. 03, 2009
MCT
Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, sister of Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaks at a press conference at JR Motorsports in Mooresville, North Carolina, Thursday, May 10, 2007. Earnhardt Jr. will leave the company founded by his late father at the end of the racing season. (Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
Getty Images
JOLIET, IL- AUGUST 28: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Boost Mobile Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, looks on during qualifying for the IRL IndyCar Series PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 on August 28, 2009 at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo By Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
US PRESSWIRE
May 10, 2007; Mooresville, NC, USA; NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. announces that he is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season, while his sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge (right) looks over his shoulder during a press conference at JR Motorsports in Mooresville, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jason D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE Copyright © 2007 Jason D. Smith
MCT
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s mother Brenda Earnhardt, left, and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge listen during a news conference, Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at JR Motorsports headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. Earnhardt announced he would drive for Hendrick Motorsports. (Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
LAS VEGAS – Negotiations to bring Danica Patrick to NASCAR are ongoing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s race team, but the driver said he has not participated in the talks and isn't certain she will drive for his Nationwide Series team.
JR Motorsports is co-owned by Earnhardt and Rick Hendrick, and both said the Patrick talks are being handled by Earnhardt's sister, Kelley. Earnhardt announced Thursday that Kelley Earnhardt and his cousin, Tony Eury Jr., have been given ownership stakes in the organization.
Kelley Earnhardt has been the driving force in the team's bid to bring Patrick to a part-time NASCAR ride.
"It's still sort of in the negotiation stages," he said. "Her and my sister are, I guess, managing that entirely. I have not been in any way, shape, or form involved."
Asked what the odds are of Patrick signing a deal, Earnhardt didn't pick a number.
"She's going to drive stock cars for somebody, someday," Earnhardt said. "It's just too much of a — look at all the Formula One guys over here checking (NASCAR) out — the writing is on the wall for her and several other guys.
"I think it's exciting. She would be great for our sport. She wants to see what's up."
Patrick earlier this week announced a three-year contract extension with Andretti Autosport, and that was believed to be the final hurdle for her to finalize any NASCAR plans. Earnhardt wasn't sure, though, that Patrick will be in NASCAR next season.
"It's going to happen when she wants it to happen," he said. "Whatever happens. Y'all know who has interest, and she has talked to our company and her and my sister are the only ones who have any dialogue."
One looming issue with JR Motorsports, though, is that the organization is still searching for full sponsorship for its flagship No. 88 car. Funding was pieced together this season, but a large chunk of money was lost when GoDaddy.com decided to move to the Sprint Cup Series as full sponsor for Mark Martin at Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt on Thursday called the sponsorship search "a dire situation" and said it's likely new driver Kelly Bires will only be able to run half of the season. Earnhardt does not run JR Motorsports for profit, but instead created the organization as a way to help employee many of his family members.
He said he expects Eury Jr. to be the crew chief for the team next season. Eury was fired as Earnhardt's crew chief at Hendrick in June.
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