Patrick needs to focus on IndyCar, not NASCAR (cont'd)

"In all of the talks over the summer, in meeting with people, there was a lot of emphasis on learning," Patrick said. "So I would be very prepared to start small and grow and really learn the cars. So if it were to happen, I would be open to all suggestions.

"We've been working on this and talking to people since the summer. We are serious about it. Whether or not things come together, we don't know. There is no contract and no deal right now -- but as I've said, if I could do both, I would love to do both."

She also explained why so much flirtation with NASCAR, even as she was finalizing the latest deal with Andretti Autosport.

"It's come up in the past to run NASCAR, and my heart really wasn't there. I didn't want to at all. I wasn't really curious -- and trust me, there were financial reasons why it would have been a much better idea," Patrick said. "So you can take that right out of the equation. I've always said the most important thing for me and my career is that I go with my gut and I go with what I want, and I don't worry about the rest.

"So now my curiosity is there, and I'd like to just try it. I'd like to see how I get on with the cars, and I think the racing looks fun. I enjoy IndyCar racing through and through -- but I mostly enjoy the oval racing. I think when you have wheel-to-wheel racing all day, it's challenging -- and don't get me wrong, it's very stressful -- but it's a lot of fun at the same time. And they have a lot of that [in NASCAR]. So I think the racing looks fun."

There is little doubt that she'll have fun, fun, fun until sponsor GoDaddy takes the car away, no matter what series she is running. There also is no doubt that NASCAR would welcome her as a marketing force sooner rather than later, and therefore give her a longer leash than other competitors of a different makeup who may or may not have as much or more driving talent.

But if she or anyone else expects her to come in and take NASCAR immediately by storm when and if she does dip her painted toes into stock-car waters, they'd better think again.

Her best bet is to spend these next two or three years firming up her open-wheel resume. Then all this fuss about Danicamania and NASCAR might finally start to make some sense.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.

Joe Menzer is the author of "The Great American Gamble: How the 1979 Daytona 500 Gave Birth to a NASCAR Nation." Click here to purchase.

Related:
• Looks like Patrick can picture herself in NASCAR
• Danica continues talking about NASCAR in future