Danica Patrick Will Not Return To Stewart-Haas Racing Following The 2017 Season

by September 13, 2017 0 comments

Danica Patrick announced late Tuesday afternoon that she would not be returning to Stewart-Haas Racing following the end of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season.

Patrick has driven the No. 10 Ford of Stewart-Haas Racing full-time since the beginning of the 2013 season, after also running 10 select events for the team in 2012. She has made 180 starts in the top series of NASCAR, all under the Stewart-Haas Racing banner.

Early Tuesday, Smithfield Foods announced that they would be joining Stewart-Haas Racing with a new driver. The announcement spurred discussion as to which driver would be out following the end of the season. Patrick stepped up to make the announcement of her departure from the team via her Facebook page.

“It has been my honor to drive for Tony Stewart, Gene Haas and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the past six seasons,” Patrick said in her statement. “Together we earned a Daytona 500 pole, seven top-10 finishes and we also had some exciting racing along the way. My time driving for them, however, has come to an end due to a new sponsorship arrangement in 2018. Sponsorship plays a vital role in our sport, and I have been very fortunate over the course of my career, but this year threw us for a curve. Our amazing partners, such as Aspen Dental and Code 3, stepped up in a big way on short notice this year and I am incredibly grateful.”

Patrick added, “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.”

There has been no word as to whether or not she will have a ride in NASCAR for the 2018 season.

NASCAR Silly Season continues to build as multiple drivers are seeking rides and sponsorship for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. With more announcements on the horizon, today’s news is just one more domino that has fallen as teams prepare for next season.

 

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com

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