Ford Racing officials reiterated on Monday their intention to assist Stewart-Haas Racing in ensuring Danica Patrick’s No. 10 Ford team remains on the track this season despite its sponsorship problems.
On Friday, SHR filed suit in N.C. Superior Court against Nature’s Bakery, Patrick’s sponsor since the beginning of last season, for breach of contract and is seeking in excess of $30 million from the company.
As of now, the sponsor’s logo no longer will appear on the entry of Patrick’s driver’s suit.
“We’re going to let that play out, unfortunately, through the court system and see how it works out,” Dave Pericak, Director of Ford Performance, said on a teleconference call Monday. “I’m hopeful we’re going to come to a resolution on that.
“At the end of the day, what I can say is that you have my commitment, the commitment from Stewart-Haas Racing and everyone that is involved, that it is not going to affect our ability to hit the track and run that car and run it the way it needs to run.
“I really don’t want to make any additional comments given where we are in the whole situation – and it’s very unfortunate we’re going through it right now – but one way or another, I can just tell you, the No. 10 will be on the track and it will be ready to perform.”
Some limited sponsorship deals remain in place on the car, including from TaxAct and Mobil 1.
In recent statements, SHR has insisted it would continue to field four full-time teams in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this season.
Is this the beginning of the end in NASCAR’s premiere series for Danica? Or is this a sign that Ford and NASCAR are going to do everything within their power to keep Patrick in this series? There are more question than there are answers right now!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
