GLADEVILLE, Tenn. -- With NASCAR rumors swirling her, IndyCar star Danica Patrick said Saturday night that she can't see herself anywhere but on the IndyCar Series to chase her goal of winning the Indianapolis 500.
"I really feel that if you want to win Indy, you need to be in IndyCar," she told ESPN in an interview aired before the start of the Firestone Indy 200.
"Having been there and having done so well, I know what that single race can do for you in your whole life. Since one of my goals is to win that race, I don't believe I can be anywhere else but IndyCar."
Patrick became a national sensation after she finished fourth in the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 -- the highest finish ever by a woman. That buzz is why where she races in 2007 has prompted widespread speculation. She finished a season-high fourth Saturday night.
Patrick told ESPN her goals of winning the Indianapolis 500 haven't changed because her parents attended a Nextel Cup race last weekend. But she said those goals would be reassessed when she wins the Indianapolis 500.
The Indianapolis Star reported Saturday that Patrick could make a decision in the next week on whether to remain in open-wheel racing or switch to stock cars in 2007. The newspaper said she had met twice with Bobby Rahal, co-owner of the Rahal Letterman Racing team and her current boss.
But Patrick also told the newspaper after qualifying Friday that at least one other IRL team is interested along with a NASCAR team.
Rahal Letterman does not comment during negotiations with drivers, team spokesman Brent Maurer told The Associated Press before the Firestone Indy 200 on Saturday night. T.J. Patrick, the driver's father and business manager, also declined to comment.
"I can't say nothing. Sorry," he said before the race.
Patrick's contract with Rahal Letterman goes through this season, and she has said the guiding factor in her decision on where to race next will be which team puts her in the best position to win races.
Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, said he always has been a fan of Patrick's. His team has Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Marco Andretti and Bryan Herta. But Franchitti has been looking at his own options for his future, which could leave an open spot on a very competitive team.
"I think she's a driver that can win races put in the right position. I think she's great for our sport. Would I be interested? Yeah, but I don't know what her plans are. I'm just hearing all the rumors that she's available and stuff. I didn't know that Rahal didn't have her tied up," Andretti said.
"We'll see."
Asked by ESPN what IRL team other than Rahal Letterman could meet or exceed her expectations to field a competitive car, Patrick said Penske and Ganassi are two strong teams.
"Then I think there's a lot of strength in AGR. They did very well the last couple years. They have lots of talent there. There are a lot of options out there," Patrick said.
"I really feel that if you want to win Indy, you need to be in IndyCar," she told ESPN in an interview aired before the start of the Firestone Indy 200.
"Having been there and having done so well, I know what that single race can do for you in your whole life. Since one of my goals is to win that race, I don't believe I can be anywhere else but IndyCar."
Patrick became a national sensation after she finished fourth in the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 -- the highest finish ever by a woman. That buzz is why where she races in 2007 has prompted widespread speculation. She finished a season-high fourth Saturday night.
Patrick told ESPN her goals of winning the Indianapolis 500 haven't changed because her parents attended a Nextel Cup race last weekend. But she said those goals would be reassessed when she wins the Indianapolis 500.
The Indianapolis Star reported Saturday that Patrick could make a decision in the next week on whether to remain in open-wheel racing or switch to stock cars in 2007. The newspaper said she had met twice with Bobby Rahal, co-owner of the Rahal Letterman Racing team and her current boss.
But Patrick also told the newspaper after qualifying Friday that at least one other IRL team is interested along with a NASCAR team.
Rahal Letterman does not comment during negotiations with drivers, team spokesman Brent Maurer told The Associated Press before the Firestone Indy 200 on Saturday night. T.J. Patrick, the driver's father and business manager, also declined to comment.
"I can't say nothing. Sorry," he said before the race.
Patrick's contract with Rahal Letterman goes through this season, and she has said the guiding factor in her decision on where to race next will be which team puts her in the best position to win races.
Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, said he always has been a fan of Patrick's. His team has Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, Marco Andretti and Bryan Herta. But Franchitti has been looking at his own options for his future, which could leave an open spot on a very competitive team.
"I think she's a driver that can win races put in the right position. I think she's great for our sport. Would I be interested? Yeah, but I don't know what her plans are. I'm just hearing all the rumors that she's available and stuff. I didn't know that Rahal didn't have her tied up," Andretti said.
"We'll see."
Asked by ESPN what IRL team other than Rahal Letterman could meet or exceed her expectations to field a competitive car, Patrick said Penske and Ganassi are two strong teams.
"Then I think there's a lot of strength in AGR. They did very well the last couple years. They have lots of talent there. There are a lot of options out there," Patrick said.