Patrick prepares to say goodbye to IndyCar

Credit: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Saying goodbye is never easy and for Danica Patrick, bidding farewell to the series that made her a star will be a difficult farewell. Today marks Patrick's last race as a full-time IndyCar driver before making the move to NASCAR next year.

Since 2005 Patrick has been racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and has garnered the adoration of a legion of fans.

In her IndyCar career, Patrick has competed in 115 races and her stats include one win at Motegi, 20 top-5 finishes and 63 top-10 finishes.

During her 2005 rookie season, Patrick was named the IndyCar Rookie of the Year. That is not her only award: she has been IndyCar's most popular driver from 2005-2010.

As Patrick prepares to bid adieu to IndyCar, new adventures await her. In the 2012 season she will be a full-time driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports and will also make a select number of Sprint Cup races for Stewart-Haas Racing.

A bright future awaits Patrick after a fourth-place finish in the Nationwide race at Las Vegas. She will be returning to the tracks that she has gotten “practice” on. Building on the notes she and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. have accumulated, expect Patrick to be a contender next season.

Tune into the final race of the IndyCar season at Las Vegas on your local ABC station today at 3:30 p.m. EST.