Danica Patrick joining 2019 Indianapolis 500 — as an analyst

Danica Patrick will be participating in the 2019 Indianapolis 500, but not as a driver. Patrick announced Wednesday that she’s joined NBC’s Indy 500 team.

Danica Patrick is returning to the Indy 500, but not on the track. NBC Sports has hired Patrick to serve as an analyst for its 2019 Indianapolis 500 team, giving some buzz to its first coverage of IndyCar‘s biggest race.

Patrick is an interesting choice, because she’s never served as an IndyCar analyst before. She had a seven-year career in IndyCar before departing for NASCAR; she competed as a one-off entry in last year’s Indianapolis 500, where she finished 30th after crashing.

But she’s also a former IndyCar Rookie of the Year and made history in 2008 as the first woman ever to win an IndyCar race when she finished first in the Indy Japan 300. In her Indy 500 career, she has six Top-10 finishes in eight attempts, including a podium finish in 2009.

And of course, she has tremendous media appeal as one of the best-known female athletes in any sport.

“The Indianapolis 500 holds a very special place in my heart,” Patrick said in announcing her new role. “The moment I drive into the [Indianapolis Motor Speedway] facility, I’m flooded with positive emotions. I have no doubt it’ll be the same this year when I come back as an analyst.

“To be on the NBC Sports team with Mike Tirico will be an honor, and I look forward to adding my unique perspective.”

Patrick worked as an analyst for FOX Sports during select NASCAR Xfinity Series races, but taking on the Indianapolis 500 is a huge step up, especially when it’s the first year NBC has the race and will be looking to make a strong initial impression with fans.

While she has IndyCar experience, and particularly performed well when she raced at Indianapolis, aside from her farewell race it’s been the better part of a decade since she was part of the league. Drivers, teams and technology have changed since then — she’ll have a lot of preparation to do in May.

Some may also question hiring her instead of someone with more recent experience. There are other former drivers who could make good analysts, such as J.R. Hildebrand (who could bring his technical knowledge), or Stefan Wilson (who could’ve won last year’s race).

Obviously, the talent pool for the analyst desk depends on who doesn’t secure the few one-off seats for the race, but there’s no shortage of talent available.

But those people don’t have household names like Patrick, and NBC is also using her as a marketing asset; Wednesday’s press release adds that she’ll “help promote the Indy 500 by appearing across numerous NBCUniversal programs and platforms.”

There’s no doubt that she’ll bring eyeballs to NBC in May, but her relative lack of experience as an analyst and with the current IndyCar scene will be challenges for her to overcome. But if anybody can make a splash in their debut, it’s Patrick, who has never had any shortage of attention or competitive spirit.

The 2019 Indy 500 takes place Sunday, May 25. For complete coverage of the 2019 IndyCar season, follow the IndyCar category at FanSided.