Danica Patrick guaranteed spot in Daytona 500

Danica PatrickDanica Patrick could be a Sprint Cup regular during the upcoming season in a proposed deal with ownership points. Here is a link to the initial story reported by ESPN: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7521430/sources-danica-patrick-close-guaranteed-daytona-500-starting-spot

DAYTONA BEACH -- ESPN is reporting that a deal has been worked out that would guarantee Danica Patrick a start in the Daytona 500 and provide her with spots for much of the Sprint Cup schedule.

Patrick would assume the points accumulated last season by Tommy Baldwin Racing driver Dave Blaney under a proposed alince with Stewart Haas Racing, including a spot in the Feb. 26 running of the Daytona 500 race.

Blaney finished in the 33rd in last season's Sprint Cup races for owner's points, two sports above the cutoff fo a gauaranteed spot in the great American race the following season at Daytona International Speedway.