Patrick move to NASCAR means no life, says Andretti

Andretti Green Racing driver Danica Patrick reacts to her qualifying time during Pole Day qualifications at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 9, 2009.

TORONTO (Reuters) - A move to NASCAR could bear fruit for Danica Patrick, but the punishing stock car schedule may not appeal to motor sport's best known woman driver, according to Indy car team owner Michael Andretti.

"Physically those cars are easier to drive than our cars," the Andretti Green Racing (AGR) co-owner told Reuters on Thursday, while in Toronto to promote next month's Honda Indy which he owns.

"From that standpoint that won't be a problem.

"I think the bigger thing for her is, does she really want to commit to 36 races a year and basically not have a life?

"I think it would be really difficult for her."

With Patrick's contract at AGR set to expire at the end of the current Indy Racing League (IRL) season, North America's most popular and marketable motor sport racer has been linked to a big money move to NASCAR next season.

There has also been speculation of a possible jump to Formula One or a move down pit lane to AGR rival Chip Ganassi Racing.

Andretti, however, said Patrick wanted to stay at AGR and that talks were progressing toward a new deal.

"We went to her a month or so ago and asked her if she wanted to be here and she said, she would really like to continue," said Andretti. "Now we have to go and try and make it work and make it all come together."

OPTIONS OPEN

In a conference call on Tuesday, Patrick, who broke through as the first female winner of an IndyCar Series race in Japan last year, said she was keeping all her options open.

"I think the most important thing for me is to put myself in a situation where I can win as many races as possible and run up front and be in that competitive situation," said Patrick, who signed with sports management giant IMG earlier this year.

"After that there has to the brand side of the situation, being able to make the most of myself as an athlete and as an endorser of products.

"Hopefully we can keep our heads down and figure it out and make a good decision."

Patrick is enjoying one of her best seasons in open wheel racing with four top-five finishes in six races, highlighted by a third place at the Indy 500.

But the 27-year-old driver left no doubt that she is intrigued by NASCAR, which remains the most popular motor racing series in the United States.

"I think one thing is as drivers we like to challenge ourselves," said Patrick. "NASCAR has so many viewers and so many partners.

"Oval racing is always fun. It's kind of like the Indy 500 every weekend.

"That's a lot of fun as a driver to be part of something important and something people want to watch."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)