Danica Patrick Out of Nationwide Race, 'It Just Died'

Danica Patrick is out of the Nationwide race at Daytona International Speedway already as her car engine shut off going in to Turn 3.

Patrick, who became the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole and will start on the pole for Sunday's Daytona 500, thought she had a blown engine.

Patrick brought the car in the garage rather than taking it to the pit road with 88 laps remaining. As the problem could have been fixed in the pit by bringing the car to the garage, she placed herself six laps behind.

However in the end it was already done. "I was pissed," learning of her rookie mistake that brought the day to end early. "A good lesson that if there was a potential fix at some point, you know you just always go down pit lane and get in your pit box and just do everything possible to fix it."

Although Patrick is not eligible for a championship in the Nationwide Series, however she didn't see Saturday as a huge loss. She gained experience and understanding that might help her in Sunday's Daytona 500, with the best starting spot.

"I was working with a lot of guys out there," she said. "Unfortunately it ended early, but there were a lot of [Sprint] Cup guys up there [and] hopefully I showed them my ability to work through traffic and my ability to get to the front, so hopefully that will help for tomorrow.

"I am ready to help if I need to and that I am anxious to," she added.

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