“Danica Patrick” on The Daily Caller

Danica Patrick will be introduced as a Coca-Cola-sponsored driver today at Charlotte Motor Speedway, USA TODAY Sports has learned, a development that adds a powerful retail brand to Patrick’s portfolio. (more)

Do the nation’s sportscasters need mandatory sensitivity training? (more)

Like to laugh? Like to be informed? Then sign up for TheDC Morning email here.  (more)

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick isn’t particularly concerned about the Obama administration’s dictate that religious employers provide health care plans that cover contraceptives. (more)

With the Indy Racing League firmly in her rear-view mirror, Danica Patrick is all set to make a full-time move to NASCAR in 2012. She’ll be running most of her races in the Nationwide series for Stewart-Hass Racing, but will still get 10 starts in the Sprint Cup, including a place in the field for the 2012 Daytona 500. (more)

Businesses come and go all the time, especially when times are hard economically. Still, it was impossible not to feel a real sense of loss when I heard the news that Newman-Haas Racing will be shutting its doors forever after almost 30 years in the business. (more)

According to the Associated Press, the only thing holding Patrick back from the deal is being granted a release from Andretti Autosport, who she drives for in the IZOD IndyCar Series. (more)

During my day at Pocono Raceway, I also got a chance to meet a real driver, named Mackena Bell. She’s part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity, the industry’s leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members. She is the 2010 NASCAR Drive for Diversity/Revolution Racing Selected Driver, and the only female selected from 30 participants to earn a position on the K&N Pro Series East Team. (more)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marco Andretti earned his first podium finish of the season at Sunday’s Indy 500 following an extensive video review that showed three cars illegally passed the 23-year-old under caution in the race’s final yards. (more)

I’ve been planning my trip to this year’s CPAC, and am mulling over the idea of greeting everyone I see there with an inappropriately enthusiastic high-five, just because. I share this with Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, and he suggests we modify it to a low-five instead. Even better. He’s right, as usual. (Read his “We The People” pamphlet, and see what I mean.) (more)

I wake up today and, per usual, turn on Fox, do some e-mailing, and peruse the headlines online. It’s a Cinnamon Toast Crunch morning, which bodes well, but I realize I’m deep in the midst of Conan/Leno fatigue. Die, story, die. (more)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Most of NASCAR is throwing out the welcome mat for Danica Patrick. Former driver-turned-TV analyst Kyle Petty is a bit more cautious about what her arrival means for the sport and the risks she’s taking. (more)