Danica Patrick and Stewart-Hass racing To Go Separate Ways After 2017
It was announced yesterday that Danica Patrick and Stewart-Haas Racing will be parting ways following the 2017 season. The announcement came as a bit of a surprise since Patrick’s contract originally ran through the 2018 season. However, the team was unable to procure a sponsor for next season, leaving the team without the funding to put Danica in a ride.
“It has been my honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the past six seasons. Together we earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes, and we also had some exciting racing along the way.” said Danica in a statement made via her Facebook page. She continued, “My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018. … I wish SHR the best of luck with their new sponsorship and driver. Thanks for the memories. Right now, my focus is on the remainder of the 2017 season and finishing the year strong. I have the utmost faith in myself and those around me, and feel confident about my future.”
Screen Capture image by – PHOTO BY LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC
Team co-owner and former NASCAR champion Tony Stewart expressed his support of the 35 year old Patrick, who made the transition from Indy Car to NASCAR 6 years ago. “She has never backed down from a challenge. In fact, she’s sought out new challenges throughout her career, and that’s what brought her to NASCAR and Stewart-Haas Racing,” Stewart said. “Making the jump from IndyCar to NASCAR is not easy, yet she had the courage to do so and put up better numbers than a lot of other drivers who have tried to make that same transition. I’m proud of how hard Danica has worked during her time at Stewart-Haas Racing, and she continues to work hard. My support for Danica is unwavering.”
It’s unclear what Danica’s next move will be, but she’s proven herself a marketable personality and should have no problem finding something, even if she has to step out from behind the wheel temporarily.
