Danica Patrick: Latest News and 2014 Sprint Cup Standings Ahead of Texas

For the second time this season, Danica Patrick wound up in the back of the pack at Martinsville. However, her path there was much different this time around.    

In contention for another strong finish during a Chase race, the No. 10 machine was caught up in a late accident. Patrick wasn't able to recover from being spun by Martin Truex Jr. and ultimately found herself behind Casey Mears when Brad Keselowski had engine issues.

Dealing with on-track issues isn't the only news for Patrick, as she's also made waves with recent comments and will have a new crew chief next season. Heading to Texas, she's also looking for her first top-20 finish at the track.

Prior to the Sprint Cup circuit heading to Texas, here's a look at the standings and latest news surrounding Patrick.

Pos.	Driver	Points	Wins	Top 5	Top 10
1	Jeff Gordon	4044	4	13	21
2	Ryan Newman	4041	0	4	15
3	Joey Logano	4040	5	16	21
4	Matt Kenseth	4039	0	12	20
5	Denny Hamlin	4037	1	6	15
6	Carl Edwards	4024	2	7	13
7	Brad Keselowski	4013	6	14	17
8	Kevin Harvick	4011	3	11	17
28	Danica Patrick	679 (N/A)	0	0	3

Race	Track	Start	Finish
Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500	Martinsville Speedway	30	34
Geico 500	Talladega Superspeedway	27	19
Hollywood Casino 400	Kansas Speedway	29	16
AAA 400	Dover International Speedway	13	25
Sylvania 300	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	18	19
MyAfibStory.com 400	Chicagoland Speedway	18	19
Federated Auto Parts 400	Richmond International Raceway	13	16
Oral-B USA 500	Atlanta Motor Speedway	27	6
Irwin Tools Night Race	Bristol Motor Speedway	24	27
Pure Michigan 400	Michigan International Speedway	14	18
Cheez-It 355	Watkins Glen International	43	21
GoBowling.com 400	Pocono Raceway	10	30
Brickyard 400	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	14	42
Camping World RV Sales 301	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	29	22
Coke Zero 400	Daytona International Speedway	29	8
Quaker State 400	Kentucky Speedway	10	21
Toyota/Save Mart 350	Sonoma Raceway	11	18
Quicken Loans 400	Michigan International Speedway	27	17
Pocono 400	Pocono Raceway	16	37
FedEx 400	Dover International Speedway	28	23
Coca-Cola 600	Charlotte Motor Speedway	4	39
5-Hour Energy 400	Kansas Speedway	9	7
Aaron's 499	Talladega Superspeedway	7	22
Toyota Owners 400	Richmond International Raceway	35	34
Bojangles' Southern 500	Darlington Raceway	33	22
Duck Commander 500	Texas Motor Speedway	24	27
STP 500	Martinsville Speedway	10	32
Auto Club 400	Auto Club Speedway	27	14
Food City 500	Bristol Motor Speedway	36	18
Kobalt 400	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	22	21
The Profit on CNBC 500	Phoenix International Raceway	33	36
Daytona 500	Daytona International Speedway	27	40

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Issues on the track between Patrick and Truex boiled over midway through the race. When Patrick went by the Furniture Row Racing driver earlier, he retaliated for the contact and spun out the No. 10 machine.

Needless to say, Patrick wasn't happy about the scenario and she unleashed on the radio during the race. NASCAR on ESPN and Jenna Fryer of The Associated Press passed along more on the situation:

"

Truex got into Danica -- "politely" settling a score from earlier in the race.

— NASCAR on ESPN (@ESPNNASCAR) October 26, 2014"

Despite the struggles on the track late in the race, Patrick still made her mark by moving in and out of the top 10 on Sunday. Not able to close the deal yet again in Martinsville, the day was much more encouraging than other recent runs at the short track.

But with the same result, Patrick needs to get back on track in Texas. Rather than simply focusing on what's to come, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver has to look ahead to next year as well.

Last Wednesday, it was announced that Patrick would have a new crew chief at the helm for the 2015 season. Patrick will be swapping with SHR teammate Kurt Busch as Tony Gibson moves on with first-year crew chief Daniel Knost taking over the No. 10 crew.

The switch will take place for the first time this weekend in Texas, per Jeff Gluck of USA Today. Greg Zipadelli, the vice president of competition for SHR, spoke about the switch, via Gluck:

"

We made this change to evaluate our program and to get a head start on 2015. With the ban on testing next year, the last three races of this season take on even greater importance.

For Tony Gibson and Kurt, they'll get three races together that will provide direction for next year. And for Daniel Knost and Danica, this is an opportunity for them develop a rapport that could potentially continue into 2015.

"

Busch was able to make the Chase with Knost, but the same couldn't be said for Patrick with Gibson. Now, the two chiefs get a chance to see if they can turn around the fate for the two drivers.

Outside of the switch, Patrick also made news for comments on NASCAR's diversity program. The same development system that helped produce drivers like Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. was questioned by Patrick.

The SHR driver spoke out about her road to getting into Sprint Cup, per Jim Utter of The Charlotte Observer:

"

I've never benefited from NASCAR's diversity program. ... Well, clearly, then I wouldn't think there needs to be a diversity program if I'm here and I didn't get in. 

It wasn't like they asked me to be in it. They didn't give my team or me any money, they didn't say, 'We'd love you,' you know? So I would say that you have to just make it. I'm not saying that being a girl hasn't helped, but I didn't need a program to make it happen.

"

Regardless of what Patrick thinks about the program, it has benefited drivers on their way to making it in NASCAR. Larson has been in contention for wins this season, but came away with eight top-five finishes as a rookie—eight more than Patrick in her first two years.

Patrick will return to the car along with the rest of the Sprint Cup in Texas looking to turn things around. Having four races on the track, here's a look at the results Knost will be working with this weekend, via DriverAverages.com:

Date	Finish	Start	Laps Led	Driver Rating	Status
April 7, 2014	27	24	0	53.2	Running
Nov. 3, 2013	25	30	0	49.2	Running
April 13, 2013	28	42	0	42.9	Running
Nov. 4, 2012	24	32	0	61.4	Running

Without a solid result at the track and no qualifying results near the front of the pack, Patrick might have another long weekend coming up. Then again, she was nearly able to change her fate in Martinsville prior to the accident.

Texas is a completely different track with a different set of drivers that typically dominate. Just four spots remain in the next round of the Chase, so the top-eight drivers will be working even harder to clinch a win.

If Patrick can simply keep a clean car and stay with the pack, she can put together her second finish on the lead lap in Texas. As for the result, it likely won't be the first top-20 finish that the No. 10 team is hoping for on Sunday.

Predicted finish: 23rd

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