INDIANAPOLIS -- The timing of the latest round of Danica Patrick-to-NASCAR reports isn't lost on those in the IndyCar world, where Thursday's major announcement that IZOD will be the IndyCar Series' first title sponsor in a decade has been forced to share headlines with its most famous driver's likely part-time foray into stock cars.
Recently crowned 2009 IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti -- a former Andretti Green Racing teammate of Patrick's -- said Thursday he's still confident she's staying in IndyCar next season.
"I believe she'll be back in IndyCar next year and that will help her with her goal of winning the Indianapolis 500,'' Franchitti told FanHouse. "If she does drive in NASCAR, I think it will be difficult to do both.''
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Danica Patrick climbed out of her race car Friday afternoon, all smiles about a solid seventh-place qualifying effort for Saturday's IndyCar season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and liking her chances about a career-best ranking (fifth) in the standings.
She joked with reporters about missing her public relations spokeswoman and spoke earnestly of her Andretti Green Racing team's pressing need to find more speed.
Just don't ask her about the big elephant on pit road -- her contract status and whether she plans to give NASCAR a go.
When asked simply if she had hoped to be able to announce something by now, Patrick pointed her finger and said, "Why do you gotta end it like that?'' abruptly turned her back on the group of a half-dozen reporters and stormed away.
The interviews were over. The speculation will continue.
Danica Patrick has signed a multi-year deal to stay in the IndyCar Series, according to a pair of published reports on Friday.
According to the Indianapolis Star and SI.com, Patrick signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Green Racing (AGR). Patrick, nor the team, have confirmed the deal. There is nothing on her personal website addressing the situation.
"I think we'd all welcome her (to NASCAR), but I'm really happy for Michael (cousin Michael Andretti) and for his team,'' said NASCAR driver John Andretti. "That is great for them and maybe Danica can still try some of this stuff too and see what she thinks."
For all who insist that Danica Patrick's hype exceeds her results, the massive attention she received this weekend in Japan, where the 26-year old from Roscoe, Ill., returned to Twin Ring Motegi as the defending champion, was legitimate.
She is the first woman to win an IndyCar race. Her hopes of repeating came up short early Saturday morning with a sixth-place finish at the Indy Japan 300.
But if some in her native USA are still slow to give Patrick her due, it was obvious by the reception she received in Japan this week that country has embraced her as a hero.
Last month, rumors had Danica Patrick appearing in ESPN the Magazine's Oct. Body Issue, which would feature male and female athletes is various stages of undress. According to Danica's people (via CNBC.com's Darren Rovell), she's "NOT confirmed to appear in the issue, nor has she even been approached."
Still no word on Patrick's intentions, but yesterday, Golf Digest's Ron Sirak wrote that three LPGA players will appear in the magazine and, shockingly, one of them isn't Anna Rawson.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Perhaps it was inevitable that Danica Patrick's name would come up here during preparation for NASCAR's AllState 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday.
She's the most successful woman driver in the history of the Indy 500, and she's openly flirting with NASCAR as she decides where she'll race when her contract with Andretti Green Racing ends this season.
But at least one of Patrick's potential suitors, team owner Chip Ganassi, said Friday he'd advise her to stay in the Indy Racing League.
One of the loudest buzzes in motor sports the past couple of weeks comes in the form of one tiny, but potent, package -- Danica Patrick. Does she dare make the daunting move from the IndyCar Series to NASCAR?
Only those close to her know Danica's true intentions, but we can say with certainty she is a savvy business woman. Making public her willingness to entertain any and all offers from both series is a prudent business decision. Danica may have every intention of remaining in the IndyCar Series and simply jumping from Andretti-Green Racing to Chip Ganassi's team, so she could very well be using the NASCAR chatter as a bargaining chip. She possesses the driving ability and marketing appeal to demand her price and place.
The fine folks at Sports Rubbish uncovered a little video of one Ms. Danica Patrick entering pit row (that's what they call it outside of NASCAR, right y'all?) and hitting one of her crew members. Now, I've never actually driven a race car, so I don't want to judge Patrick for her inability to a) do her job or b) steer said car at a low speed, but really? That's what the "brake pedal" and "steering wheel" are for, Danica.
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Tony Stewart is off to such a strong first season as a team owner, he's already open to expansion.
The Sprint Cup Series points leader said Friday he'd consider adding a third team to Stewart-Haas Racing next year if the right combination was available. Although he promised his team not to expand too quickly, their success so far this season has made him consider his options.
"I wanted to make sure we had two cars that were competitive and had a chance to win a championship," he said Friday at Infineon Raceway. "I'm proud of the fact that I think we're at that point. So if the right situation came along, we would entertain it."
Boost Mobile -- it's a classy company that allows you to pay per month for cell phone minutes in advance. It's also the company that's now rocking out a new commercial featuring Danica Patrick signing mens' breasts. So, yeah, classy as all get out. (Although still pretty funny, so credit to the marketing people who continue to find hilarious/attractive ways to get Danica involved in advertising, even if they did manage to cheese off the transgender demographic.)
INDIANAPOLIS -- The timing of the latest round of Danica Patrick-to-NASCAR reports isn't lost on those in the IndyCar world, where Thursday's major announcement that IZOD will be the IndyCar Series' first title sponsor in a decade has been forced to share headlines with its most famous driver's likely part-time foray into stock cars.
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- 
For all who insist that 
INDIANAPOLIS -- Perhaps it was inevitable that 
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- 
