Danica Patrick would be a welcome addition to the NASCAR field, according to two of the biggest names in the series.

Jack Roush, of Roush Fenway Racing, told mikemulhern.net: “I don’t know of any problems with Danica Patrick. If a female is going to make it in NASCAR in the foreseeable future, it will be Danica. She has an edge on her, which is good.

“Someone said she has the best finishing average of anyone in the Indy 500. The last four years she's been sixth or better…and that speaks volumes.”

“I don't know enough about her to know how much time she'd have to spend in the Nationwide series or Truck series," Roush continued. "I'd say, as a minimum, two years in the Nationwide series would be required…and at the same time she could run six or seven Cup races, to maintain her rookie status. It just depends on how badly she wants it."

Reigning triple NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson added: “If she wants to come racing in NASCAR, I certainly welcome her. I think she'd do a lot for our sport. I definitely think she needs to spend some time racing stock cars and understanding what stock cars are about at these tracks. It would just be unfair to her to show up and be in a Cup car… But she is a talented race car driver that would do a lot for NASCAR, so I would welcome her.”