IT'S OFFICIAL: GO DADDY GIRL GOING "FULL THROTTLE" INTO NASCAR!
2012 Plan includes Full Nationwide Schedule & Select Sprint Cup Races in the Go Daddy Car
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 25, 2011) -- Putting the pedal to the media metal, and with Go Daddy CEO and Founder Bob Parsons at her side ... Danica revealed her racing future today.
"We can finally put the rumors to rest -- I am going full-time NASCAR with Go Daddy next year," Danica told a crowded news conference at Go Daddy's Scottsdale headquarters a few minutes ago. "I am going to race a full Nationwide schedule and limited Sprint Cup schedule in my GoDaddy.com Chevrolet next season."
For the NASCAR Nationwide Series races, she'll drive with her current stock car team, JR Motorsports, owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Danica will be with Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by two-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation. Both series will be financially fueled by Go Daddy, her long-time sponsor who first signed the Go Daddy Girl in 2006.
"I am very fortunate to have a forward-thinking, powerhouse sponsor like Go Daddy," Danica said. "Go Daddy is definitely committed and focused, which is why they are at the top of their industry."
"I have so much respect for Danica, and not just because she looks stunning in her Go Daddy firesuit," Parsons said. "She's got it all ... she's a competitor, she's focused, she's a risk taker, she's tenacious, she's got business savvy and look at what she's already accomplished before ever driving a full NASCAR schedule."
Danica finished fourth in the Nationwide Series this year in Las Vegas, which ranks as the best-ever result for a female driver in any of NASCAR's top three national touring series.
"Danica has done a great job in a short amount of time for JR Motorsports," said Earnhardt Jr. "Her work ethic is probably the best of anyone in the sport. People don't understand how difficult it is to do what she did -- racing two totally different cars at the same time. I'm glad she gets the opportunity to devote all of her attention to this car, because I think she's going to continue getting better. Danica has earned her place on the track, and I look forward to having her and Go Daddy back in the No. 7 car next year."
Just last month, Danica led 13 of the 100 laps in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona (Fla.), and was up front with two laps to go, drafting with her JRM teammate Aric Almirola. Earlier in that same race she paired up to draft with her new team owner and fellow driver, Tony Stewart.
"I see great things for Danica," said Stewart shortly before today's news conference. "Danica doesn't hold back. She really is a fearless competitor. She's taken a systematic approach to her stock car career, which is smart. I think with the support she has from Go Daddy, Dale Jr. and all of us at Stewart-Haas Racing, Danica has a very promising NASCAR future."
Danica has been under intense media scrutiny. The spotlight has focused on her both on and off the track. Go Daddy, known for its edgy advertising, has featured their racy Go Daddy Girl in five consecutive Super Bowl campaigns and has leveraged her looks and feisty persona to help create a little marketing magic.
Go Daddy is the world's largest provider of Web hosting, domain name registrations and net new SSL Certificates. Danica is often prominently positioned on Go Daddy's website.
"Danica transcends sports," Parsons said. "And she's the 'real deal' on the race track too. I know if I were driving a race car, I wouldn't want Danica in my rear view mirror!"
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