BUSCH: This Week in Ford Racing - Danica Patrick test

NASCAR Busch Grand National

Danica Patrick completed two very successful days of testing last week with the ppc Racing team at South Carolina's Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Driving a brand new Ford Taurus NASCAR Busch Series car, Patrick ran over 285 laps without incident and by all accounts, acquitted herself extremely well in her first experience in this type of car.

The test was conducted by ppc crew chiefs Harold Holly and Steve Addington with Albertson's Ford driver Jason Keller on hand to give Danica some early guidance on getting around the half-mile paved flat track. After observing Patrick for a few runs, Keller indicated that Patrick was in great shape, "She will be just fine, everything she is telling us about the car is confirmed by the data."

Harold Holly, crew chief on the Nesquick Ford of Scott Riggs was very impressed with Danica's technical feedback, "She began giving me great information right away and that enabled us to progress quite quickly, we went through a large number of changes to the car and she was able to describe and feel everything we did."

Danica completed 150 laps last Tuesday (June 18) and another 137 on Wednesday. Running a harder compound for all but the last two runs on Wednesday, Patrick posted very competitive times which were validated on Wednesday when Mark Green showed up for a shake down of the Akins Racing Ford Taurus. Danica ran within four-tenths of Green's times. After fitting the softer, "Martinsville" tire, Patrick circulated in the low 20 second range without really extending herself or the car. "She stayed well within herself, which was exactly what was needed for the test," said Holly, "and she ran very consistent laps times every run."

Patrick herself was very impressed with ppc Racing and the Ford Busch car itself, "I totally enjoyed the experience, the team is just incredible, everything ran like clockwork and Harold and Steve are so good, they know just what to do with the car to give me what I need to get around the track quickly. I didn't feel any pressure from the team and just went out and had a great couple of days. It must be fun to race these cars."

Ford Racing Technology personnel were in attendance and were more than satisfied with the test. "We know Danica has tremendous ability, but I must say, she exceeded our expectations in every way," said Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology. "Her speed, feedback and maturity were all very impressive."

Plans are being made now for Patrick to test again for Ford and ppc Racing in the near future at a faster track to continue her development in different types of cars.

-Ford-