Danica Patrick Gets a New Partner in Racing: Michael Andretti

Last season saw Danica Patrick break out with her first career victory in IndyCar and then saw the rest of her year break down. Patrick's strategist from last year is moving over to team mate Marco Andretti's team leaving Patrick to look to Marco's dad, and part owner of Andretti Green Racing, Michael Andretti to serve in the role as strategist.

Michael Andretti is well known as a driver and an owner but this will be Andretti's first time being a strategist. "As a driver and as an owner, I've seen a million different scenarios unfold during a race and I'm sure I'll see a few more this year," he said. "But, as a strategist, you just have to try to anticipate what is going to happen and be a little bit smarter than everybody you're racing against. This will be a new challenge for sure." Patrick seems excited about the pairing (source: news.yahoo.com).

"Michael has been a great resource for me since I came to Andretti Green and having him in my pit box is going to be good," Patrick said. "He has been very hands-on with all four of our cars in the past and it will be great having him calling races for me." For Patrick the timing couldn't be better. After her first win of her IndyCar Career last season, the rest of the year just sort of fell apart for her (source: news.yahoo.com).

In the Indianapolis 500 she crashed in a pit lane accident with Ryan Briscoe and then abruptly went after him in the pit area. She had to be led off the track by race officials. She was also involved in another altercation with fellow female driver Milka Duno in Mid-Ohio and for the rest of the season she finished no better than 5^th place. Patrick is hoping the change will bring more consistent runs and of course more wins (source: news.yahoo.com).

Patrick gained instant fame in 2005 when she became the first woman in history to lead at the Indianapolis 500 where she finished 4^th. She was rookie of the year for the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 2005 and finished 12^th in the point standings. She then finished 9^th in the point standings in 2006 and then left Bobby Rahal's team to drive for Andretti Green in 2007. Since the move she has finished 7^th in the points in 2007 and 6^th in the points last season (source: news.yahoo.com).

In 2009, with Michael Andretti's help, she looks to improve even more on those statistics. Patrick hopes to prove she is more than a flash in the pan and looks to show she can win more races and contend for an IRL Championship.