Danica Patrick has acknowledged that she needs some expert help in getting acclimated to NASCAR. The IndyCar racer, whose Nationwide Series program continues this weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., is hoping to learn from stock car veteran Mark Martin, who reportedly has offered his services to Patrick and her JR Motorsports team as a driving coach.
“I really do need help,” Patrick said in an interview with Tribune newspapers. "If he [Martin] was willing to help me on any level – a little, a lot – I would be grateful for any of it.”
Patrick plans to drive in all six remaining Nationwide races now that the IZOD IndyCar Series season is over. Her average Nationwide finish in her seven starts to date has been 31st, and she says she has been aware for a while of her need for outside assistance in learning the stock car ropes.
“We talked about a month or two ago about having a driving coach and nothing ended up happening," Patrick said. "After Dover we all just kind of went, ‘You know what? We need to get this program together.'”