MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — IndyCar star Danica Patrick will compete in at least 12 NASCAR races this season and could make her debut in the season opener

Patrick, one of the most popular drivers in motorsports, confirmed Thursday that she will be racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 26.

Last month, Jerry Gappens, the executive vice president and general manager of the speedway, flew to JR Motorsports in Mooresville, N.C. with over 20 pounds of fresh lobster for Patrick and her crew. This was an enticement to have New Hampshire on her limited racing schedule with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s team.

“This is great news for our fans here in New England,” said Gappens. “She is a talented racecar driver and a major sports personality that will bring the national spotlight to the largest sports and entertainment facility in New England. “Since she didn’t eat the lobster, I will have to find an appropriate thank you gift for Danica, perhaps a pair of high heeled Christian Louboutin’s!”

JR Motorsports announced Patrick’s schedule Thursday. Her first race, though, is still uncertain. Patrick is waiting to decide whether to race in the Nationwide Series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13.

The team says it will decide after Patrick makes her stock car debut in the Feb. 6 ARCA race at Daytona. If she feels comfortable, she could race the following week in NASCAR’s second-tier series. It would be a daunting NASCAR start considering more than a dozen Sprint Cup regulars, including team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., drive in that one.

“Like I’ve said before, we just want to be smart and calculative about this process,” Patrick said. “The tracks we’ve selected not only compliment the IndyCar schedule, but will give me quality seat time at a variety of facilities.”

If Patrick doesn’t drive the Nationwide race at Daytona, she will make her debut the following week in Fontana, Calif.

Her remaining schedule includes Las Vegas (Feb. 20), a four-month hiatus to focus on the IndyCar Series and her return to NASCAR at New Hampshire.

Tickets for the NASCAR Nationwide Series New England 200 at NHMS start at just $25. For more information, please the track online at www.nhms.com or call the ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931.

She also will race in Chicago (July 9), Michigan (Aug. 14), Dover, Del. (Sept. 25), Fontana (Oct. 9), Charlotte (Oct. 15), Madison, Ill. (Oct. 23), Texas (Nov. 6), Phoenix (Nov. 13), and Homestead, Fla. (Nov. 20).

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