Danica, Dodge, Dega and more ...

A collection of items from around the racing world.

 

# Expect the Danica Patrick sweepstakes to wind down shortly with the IndyCar series season finale this weekend. Danica had said she wouldn't announce any plans on her future until after the season.

 

JR Motorsports is interested in Patrick. This is what Kelley Earnhardt, GM for the team, said in a statement:

 

“JR Motorsports is exploring the opportunity with Danica Patrick in NASCAR,’’ said Earnhardt, sister of team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., in a statement from the team.       “There is a natural fit at JRM with Dale Jr. and Danica both serving as spokespersons for GoDaddy.com.  As a female managing one of the top Nationwide Series teams in the sport, I would be excited to have Danica within the JR Motorsports fold if she decides to enter the world of NASCAR.”

 

Also, ESPN.com reports that Michael Waltrip has interest in Patrick.

 

# Dodge has a new boss. Mike Accavitti, who once oversaw Dodge's NASCAR program, has resigned his position as President and CEO of the Dodge brand. Ralph Gilles takes that position. Gilles issued a statement Tuesday about Dodge's role in the sport.

 

"Dodge intends to remain involved in NASCAR competition,’’ Gilles said in a statement from Dodge. “Our brand-focused strategy for development and marketing of Dodge vehicles through the sport remains a good fit for the company. 

 

“Dodge customers and NASCAR fans share the enthusiasm for performance on and off the track. We’re looking forward to strong performances for the remainder of 2009 and the foreseeable future."

 

# Talladega and Daytona are both raising the height of their catchfences from 14 feet to 22 feet for specatator safety. The fence along the fronstretch at Talladega will be changed in time for the Nov. 1 race there. The backstretch fencing will be changed before next spring's race. The upcoming race at Dega will mark the first time since Carl Edwards' last-lap accident where he went into the catchfence (watch video here).

 

# Nelson Piquet is expected to test Monday at the short track at Rockingham Speedway for Red Horse Racing of the Camping World Truck Series. You might recall Piquet as the driver who intentionally crashed in a Formula One race in 2008 to help his teammate win the event. Piquet spoke publicly the other day for the first time since the race-fixing scheme was revealed in August. He talked to a Brazilian TV network and said that although he was granted immunity by Formula One's sanctioning body for testimony, he is a victim of the case. You can read what he said here.

 

# Ford will unveil its Mustang for the Nationwide series on Tuesday at Roush Fenway Racing.

 

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