Danica Patrick May Switch Gears, But Not Series

When Juan Pablo Montoya announced his departure from open-wheel and future in NASCAR, many felt as if auto racing's poster girl Danica Patrick would follow.

A few weeks back, Danica Patrick noted that she wasn't interested in NASCAR's hectic schedule- a schedule that takes up 38 weekends a year, not including pubilc appearances. And then, all of a sudde, Patrick's name has been floating around Jayski as a possible NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie in the near future.

Now it appears that Patrick prefers the lighter schedule the Indy Racing League has to offer. The word is that she'll remain in the series, but may depart from her ride at Rahal-Letterman and join Andretti-Green Racing.

Patrick has began to pick up momentum after a disappointing start to the 2006 season. She finished fourth at the Milwaukee Mile, her second straight top four finish.

Tony Kanaan won the IRL event at the Milwaukee Mile

Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Pocono