Danica Patrick Eagerly Awaits Four Driver Team

Danica Patrick will soon be part of a four-driver team, and she is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her teammates.

Stewart-Haas Racing competition director Greg Zipadelli confirmed Friday that his team is prepping to field a four-driver roster in 2014.

With knowledgeable drivers joining Danica, the junior member of the team will be able to draw from her teammates’ prior successes and NASCAR knowledge.

At this tim,e Stewart-Haas Racing is attempting to land Kurt Busch as its fourth driver.

Already joining the Stewart-Haas lineup with Patrick and Tony Stewart is Kevin Harvick.

Ryan Newman will be leaving the team at the end of season, and Zipadelli says his team have been eying Busch since they signed Newman in 2009. The powerhouse racing team has already offered Busch the spot, and Zipadelli says, “If we can get it all worked out, we’re going to add that link.”

Danica Patrick found her best success as a member of the four-team Andretti Autosport organization from 2007 to 2009. It was during her IndyCar time that Patrick recorded her only career win. Patrick also collected five podium finishes and ended up seventh, sixth, and fifth place when racing alongside veterans Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan.

During practice on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway, Patrick said of her four racer future:

“If it does work out that there are four of us on the team next year, then I’m excited. I always like having more people to look at as far as their styles. There are more engineers, there are more crew chiefs and more people around to develop things. For me, I think it’s a great thing.”

Patrick also joked about Mark Martin taking over for Stewart for the remainder of the season. Patrick says she’s excited to have a new race partner because “he can fit in my car.” Patrick then added, “So maybe someday he will drive my car too. I always like getting other drivers’ feedback.”

The four drivers could be one of the most cohesive teams in racing. Patrick and Stewart have been friends since her teen racing days, and she has since developed a friendship with Harvick and his wife DeLand. Busch and Patrick have also known one another since meeting at Sebring International Raceway in 2003.

Do you think a four member Stewart-Haas racing team will be good for Danica Patrick and the other members of the team?