Danica Patrick joins Carpenter for Indy 500 swansong

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Danica Patrick will close the curtain on her motor sport career with a final performance at the 2018 Indy 500 with Ed Carpenter Racing.

Patrick inadvertently revealed her ride at the Brickyard at yesterday's Daytona 500 media day. Questioned by reporters on her Indy 500 prospects, a distracted Patrick said:

"I didn’t have time to meet up with Ed and the people… Oh, did I just say that out loud?" she quipped, appearing annoyed with herself.

"Oh, well. I’ve never done that in my career."

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One of only 14 drivers to lead both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500, and the only women to have achieved such a feat, Patrick competed in the IndyCar series from 2005 to 2011, recording one win (in Japan in 2008), three poles and seven podium finishes.

Her best performance at the Indy 500 came in her rookie year, in 2005, when she finished fourth with Rahal Letterman Racing.

After a five-year full-time stint in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Patrick announced her retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2017, and will bow out of the sport with a final appearance at this weekend's Daytona 500 and one last run around the Brickyard in May.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.