Hinchcliffe to replace Danica on GoDaddy website

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Whether it was a groundswell of fan support or just clever marketing, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe has replaced Danica Patrick on a key sponsor’s website.

Hinchcliffe is the athlete featured on the homepage of GoDaddy .com, the primary sponsor of both drivers.

Patrick has been with GoDaddy since joining Andretti Autosport in 2007. Hinchcliffe took Patrick’s place on the Indianapolis-based Izod IndyCar Series team during the offseason when Patrick moved to NASCAR.

Patrick played along Tuesday when asked about Go Daddy’s decision during an appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of her Nationwide Series race July 28.

“Hey, if you like him up there, go ahead," she said sarcastically of Hinchcliffe. “If you want me up there, you know, say so."

If Patrick is the queen of auto racing. Hinchcliffe, 25, is the king of its social media. He and his marketing team have built a fan-friendly campaign tied to proclaiming the Toronto-area native “the Mayor of Hinchtown." The push to get Hinchcliffe to take Patrick’s prominent spot on the website was known as “Hinch for Homepage."

Hinchcliffe is having a breakout sophomore IndyCar season. He is fifth in the points standings through 10 of 15 races.

Patrick, 30, is ninth in the Nationwide standings, which counts only NASCAR drivers committed to that series. She has a pole and one top-10 finish in 16 races this season. IndyStar

05/18/12 After seven years of dominating the GoDaddy .com home page, spokeswoman and race car driver Danica Patrick has some competition. IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe (who is driving the Go Daddy car this year) is campaigning to be the new face of the home page.

He started by launching his own Hinch for Homepage Web campaign. Now, GoDaddy.com has opened up the campaign to the public in an online vote.

Hinchcliffe, who earned Rookie of the Year honors at last year's 500, is running in the top five of this season's IndyCar competition. Patrick has switched to NASCAR.

To cast your vote for the new face of the Web page, go to GoDaddy.com/Vote. Indy Star