Danica Patrick Unveils NASCAR 2011 Schedule

IndyCar driver Danica Patrick confirmed her 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule Wednesday and will compete in four markets that she didn't visit last season in her stock car debut.

Patrick, who races full-time for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series, will again run 13 Nationwide Series races — the bulk of the schedule coming before and after her open-wheel commitments.

As expected Patrick will open the year in the Feb. 19 Nationwide 300-mile race at Daytona International Speedway, and will compete in the next three races on the schedule in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Bristol, Tenn.

After running the opening races of the IndyCar Series, Patrick then returns to the seat of the JR Motorsports' No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for summer races at Chicago and Daytona, then, for the first time, at the road course in Montreal, and the ovals in Richmond, Va., and Kansas.

Patrick will finish out the year in Fort Worth, Phoenix and the finale at Homestead-Miami, where she recorded her best start (fifth) and finish (19th) of 2010.

"I have a much different perspective heading into this season,'' Patrick said. "I know a little more of what to expect, and I'm not as out of my element.

"I've had a year to work with my team, and there is a comfort level that comes with returning to some of these tracks. It's obvious experience goes a long way in this sport. Thanks to everyone at Go Daddy and JR Motorsports that have been incredibly supportive throughout this process."

Joining Patrick at Daytona will be fellow IndyCar driver Milka Duno, who announced Wednesday she is entered in the Feb. 12 ARCA Series opener.