2018 Cup ride 'yet to come to fruition' - Patrick
Friday, 22 September 2017
By Kelly Crandall / Image by Brett Moist/LAT
1.2k Shares Danica Patrick still does not have her next job lined up but she reiterated her interest in competing only in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
"If I don't do Cup, I don't think I will do anything," Patrick told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. "My only goal is to win in Cup. My only goal is to be one of the few drivers who have won in IndyCar and NASCAR [and] that's attained through winning in the Cup Series."
Patrick suffered a setback this season with the unexpected departure of primary sponsor Nature's Bakery from the No. 10 Ford. Knowing her future with Stewart-Haas Racing was contingent on funding, Patrick announced earlier this month that her time driving for three-time champion Tony Stewart will end with the season finale in Miami.
But whether she is behind the wheel next year is still to be determined. And Patrick, now 35, knows there is a short list of quality rides available.
"That's the challenge," she admitted. "So, if I don't think that there's a really solid potential for that [winning] to happen, then I'm just spinning my wheels."
When asked if she had a list of potential landing spots, Patrick said she did. But as to whether she's had any discussions, Patrick said she leaves that up to her management.
"I let them do the work. There's not really anything I can do," Patrick said. "It comes down to money, and it also comes down to what I want to do. Moving parts and answers that have yet to come to fruition."
What she wants to do might very well be away from racing. Patrick keeps plenty busy in other ventures, such as yoga, a wine vineyard and most recently the launch of a clothing line. Admittedly, racing 38 weekends a year is a grind and Patrick knows she has decide if she wants to continue doing as much beyond this year.
In 181 Cup starts to date, Patrick has seven top-10 finishes. She became the first woman to win a pole in the premier series when she claimed the top spot for the 2013 Daytona 500. Patrick's career-best finish in points is 24th the last two seasons.