Danica's decision is nearing ... which way will she go?

Our long Danica Patrick nightmare is almost over.

Danica's contract expires at the end of this IRL season, and she's the hottest free agent-to-be in motorsports. (Take that however you will.) The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Michael Andretti, owner of Danica's team Andretti Green Racing, expects to keep Danica in his corner. Of the negotiations with Danica's team, Andretti told the Star, "Getting close ... We've been back and forth a lot, but they want it and we want it. We're just going through the particulars right now. I'm happy with the way things are going."

The Star suggests that the announcement of a new deal could come as soon as next week, when the Indy Racing League heads to Chicagoland Speedway -- which, conveniently enough, is close to the HQ of Danica's sponsor Motorola.

Danica's signing, wherever and whenever it comes, will be a landmark event in motorsports. She's being signed far more for her marketing cachet than her talent; she still only has one IRL victory, and while she's run well in many events, she doesn't have the dominating aura around her that would justify the monstrous contract she's certain to get.

Danica has also visited plenty of NASCAR shops, including Tony Stewart's Stewart-Haas joint, but there was considerable muttering among the NASCAR types that this was simply a leverage move, a way to crank up her value to the Indy circuit. (It didn't help that many experienced NASCAR hands didn't think she should be jumping straight into the sport.)

There are only four races remaining in the 2009 IRL season, and it would be in everyone's best interests for the Danica deal to get done as soon as possible. After all, the longer she's a free agent, the more opportunity she'll have to make godawful commercials. Though I'd imagine that swimsuit issues are still on the table no matter where she ends up.

Andretti assumes control of race team [Indy Star]

Related posts:
Danica Patrick's back tat a no-go for SI swimsuit issue
Danica Patrick in highly offensive banned Super Bowl ad
OMG! OMG! Danica Patrick visits Tony Stewart's shop!

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