Danica Patrick to join NBC’s Indy 500 team

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick will join NBC Sports’ inaugural coverage of the Indianapolis 500 as an analyst alongside host Mike Tirico.

Patrick retired from racing after last year’s Indianapolis 500. Her eighth appearance in “The Great American Race" prepped her for a return as a television personality.

She told The Associated Press racing at Indy last year after an eight-year run in NASCAR refreshed her knowledge bank and gives her plenty to discuss. Patrick will be a studio analyst on race day and contribute to NBC Sports’ pre-race, in-race and post-race coverage. She will also be part of the broadcast team for qualifying on May 19 and will promote the race across NBCUniversal platforms.

“This is an event that means so much to me," she said in a telephone interview ahead of Wednesday’s announcement. “I am so glad I did the 500 last year because my information is much more current and relevant. I think it’s going to be quite a bit of work — I’ve always thought being part of the broadcast team is a different kind of work — there’s a lot of preparation there."

Her homework began in earnest with the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, two weeks ago when Patrick tuned in to watch the race.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to know all the names.’ I’ve got to know who’s the guy who has momentum and who doesn’t," she said. “I need to respect the event and the position that I’m in. It’s so important for me to be up to date on everything."