Danica Patrick has brought attention and high ratings to NASCAR since racing on the Sprint Cup circuit and although FI Racing chief Bernie Ecclestone has offered her a job to do the same, but she isn't going anywhere.
According to ESPN.com, Patrick said she was flattered by the offer and Ecclestone's comments, but that she wasn't leaving the Sprint Cup anytime soon. Patrick is in her first full season on the Sprint Cup circuit after running in 10 races last season. Patrick has helped improve ratings and interest wherever she drives, including with IndyCar and on the Nationwide series.
"I did see something about Bernie's comments," Patrick said on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway to the Associated Press. "They sounded complimentary, and it looked like he was kind of acknowledging my ability to drive a car. I always said unless it would be something I would want to do for real, as in race a Formula One car, I don't see any point in testing it. It's a lot of work to get fitted in a car comfortable enough to be able to go drive it."
Ecclestone originally made the comments about Patrick saying that he would love it if he came and raced on his circuit, bringing interest and high ratings along with her. Ecclestone said to the F1 website that Patrick "will hardly want to give up the exposure she has in the U.S. to come here and maybe not make it. All the things that people worry about -- whether a woman can cope with the g-forces and all that -- she has proven that she can," he said.
Patrick and Ecclestone have crossed paths in the past, but back then the F1 chief made some comments that weren't so complimentary. Following the Indianapolis 500 when Patrick finished fourth, the said: "You know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances."
Patrick was asked about the comments and if the differences between the two were over and she told reporters that in the past he has sent her complimentary messages after significant races and moments during her career.
"I tell you what, I do love domestic appliances," she said. "I love to cook, and I love to be in the kitchen. That's flattering. Those utensils are very important in my life."
Patrick is heading to Bristol with high expectations after crashing at Phoenix and finishing low in the standings at Las Vegas. She will be sporting a new green paint scheme on Sunday in honor of St. Patrick's Day, as her No. 10 Chevrolet car for GoDaddy.com will have shamrocks as part of the design.
Last season Patrick raced at Bristol for one of her 10 Sprint Cup races and finished 29th after getting into an accident. She also raced at the Nationwide event at the track and finished in ninth place and giving one of her best performances of the year. Patrick had a great start to the season and will be looking to rebound from a disappointing race in Las Vegas heading into the Food City 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Patrick started off the season in historic fashion by becoming the first woman to win the pole at Daytona and she later hit another milestone after leading a number of laps at the 500. She crashed at Phoenix after losing a tire and was hit by David Ragan, but luckily she was not seriously hurt.
Her week at Las Vegas got started off on the wrong foot after being hit in the head with a rock while attending a dirt track race, but it didn't keep her from racing on Sunday and she said she was just a bit sore afterwards.