2013 Indy 500 on Danica Patrick's radar
Danica Patrick is open to adding the 2013 Indy 500 to her schedule next year (Getty Images Photo)
INDIANAPOLIS -
Although Patrick will run the full Sprint Cup Series schedule next season she said Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway running the 500 Memorial Day weekend is something she'd like to add to her slate.
However Patrick has some provisions in mind.
"OK, so the Indy 500 next year, I would love to do it," she said. "I've said that all along. I love the track, I love the race. I've had I feel like I've had really good races. I feel like it was always one of my strongest races of the year in IndyCar, so I feel like that's something I would like to do, and maybe it will happen, maybe it won't, but I can tell you the only way it's going to happen if it's with someone I really feel I can have a shot to go out there and win because it's unfair to the history I've had here and to my memory to do anything less than that. I wouldn't want to wreck anything I've experienced here with something to take away from that.
"So if we do it, it'll be with a shot to be able to win. On top of that, there's just a whole lot of logistical issues to iron out if that were to be the case. But first and foremost, a good car."
For now Patrick will have to be satisfied with driving a stock car at Indy, which she'll do for the first time in Saturday's inaugural Indy 250 Nationwide Series race.
Patrick can't wait for the opportunity.
"I don't care what I drive around this track, I love being here," she said. "I just like everything about it. I like the facility, obviously, and to me the special thing about Indy is obviously I've had great experiences, but it's about the track. It doesn't matter what kind of car I come in here, I've had great experiences, memories. So that's what I like so much about it. And I love the tradition."
Patrick admits her appreciation for the storied facility grows with each passing year.
"The older I get, the more I realize how much history and tradition plays a role in what's important and what matters and what means the most to you," said Patrick.
"I sound really old with that answer."
