Danica Patrick Makes Daytona 24 Hours Return

The new year has brought IndyCar driver Danica Patrick another reason to celebrate. The Roscoe-born driver has announced her return to the famous Daytona 24 Hours race with Childress-Howard Motorsports this year. This will be Patrick's second attempt in the endurance world after previously competing for Howard Boss in 2006. Her team failed to complete half a race two years ago.

“I had such a good time. So many drivers come together for this event. Of course everyone wants to win and do well. But there's such camaraderie at this event. We were doing pretty well (in 2006) but we only made it nine hours. I was getting in for my second stint, my first double stint. It was just something so fresh and new for me,” said Patrick.

"It was just really cool and I'm just really grateful to come back to this team again and run. I had such a good experience, not only with the car and the fun, but with the people. To be with a group of drivers like this, we have a great chance at winning this race,” she added.

Patrick became the first female driver to win an event in a major North American open-wheel series, at Twin Ring Motegi this year. With the new IndyCar season starting in early April, she took the time to test the new Daytone prototype at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend and will be looking to improve her 2006 performance alongside new teammates Casey Mears, Andy Wallace and Rob Finlay.

“We've got a great driver line-up. Danica will do a real good job here. She's a great road racer, and we're excited to have her in the car,” said team co-owner Richard Childress.

The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona will get under way on January 24.