Danica Patrick to stay with IRL team

[September 26, 2009]  (AP)  Danica Patrick has agreed to a three-year contract to remain at Andretti Green Racing and stay in the IndyCar Series, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star.

Patrick, the first woman to win a major open-wheel race, with her victory in last year's Indy Japan, is finishing her fifth season in the IndyCar series and is fifth in points. She's been rumored to be considering a move to NASCAR and still could compete in a limited number of races.

The newspaper was unable to reach Patrick for comment.

The IndyCar Series season finale is Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Jeff Belskus, the president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said the 27-year-old driver is important to the future of the series.

"I know she has said winning the Indianapolis 500 is important to her and that it's a lifelong dream to win that race," Belskus said at the Indy Japan 300.

Patrick finished sixth at this year's Indy Japan, which was won by Scott Dixon.

NASCAR star Tony Stewart said this month that he has no doubts that Patrick will eventually make the jump to stock cars. They've talked frequently about what it would take for Patrick to go from open-wheel racing to the heavier cars.

Stewart said Friday at Dover International Speedway that he has not talked to Patrick about her decision.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.