Ana Beatriz: Don’t call her Danica

Ana Beatriz won in Nashville earlier this year

Ana Beatriz is not out to become the next Danica Patrick. But that doesn’t mean the Brazilian open-wheel racer—who took third in this year’s Indy Lights Series driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports—isn’t bent on becoming an Indy Racing League champion.

“She hates being compared to Danica," said Kaaveh Akbari, Sam Schmidt Motorsports spokesman. “She respects Danica, but wants to develop her own identity."

Beatriz, her crew members said, is laid back off the track, but fiercely competitive on the track, going head-to-head with the likes of Arie Luyendyk Jr. and this year’s Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos. Beatriz became the first woman to claim an Indy Lights victory in July and earned nine top five finishes in 16 starts. In addition, she has proven popular with fans and sponsors, bringing Healthy Choice with her to SSM.

Not surprisingly, SSM is eager to retain her. SSM officials are negotiating a new contract with Beatriz and hope to have her signed by year’s end. “The best case scenario," Akbari said, “would be to get a deal done in the next 60 days, and set her up for some winter testing."

Beatriz will likely be in the Indy Lights series again next year, with an eye on jumping to the Indy Racing League in 2010. Sam Schmidt’s team might make that jump with her, Akbari said. “What’s most important to Sam is to be in a situation where he can be competitive and win," Akbari said. “We know that making a jump to the next level costs a lot more money." More at IBJ.com