Post-Danica: IndyCar Enters Era of Uncertainty

Going, going, gone. Danica Patrick's IndyCar career in a nutshell, if you were curious as to what that was all about. The world of Indy racing breathed a sigh of relief when the female face of the sport confirmed she would return to the struggling league in 2010, but it was all too soon.  Sure, Danica will be in the sport for one more year. After that, well, it appears it will be all NASCAR all the time for the princess of open-wheel racing. Like her or not, Danica has defined IndyCar since her meteoric rise in 2005, nearly winning her first Indianapolis 500. Though Danicamania has died down significantly since her rookie season, Patrick remains the most popular driver in the IRL, and one of the only ones the average person has heard of. While the IRL still has another season to think of where to go next, the issue of Danica's departure remains urgent for the declining sport. Perhaps the Indy Racing League was smart in taking advantage of the one thing they had that NAS...