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The Indianapolis 500 has already lost its most recognizable driver as Danica Patrick announced on Monday that she wouldn’t compete in that race in 2012 and instead drive in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.

The races both are on May 27, the Sunday before Memorial Day, with the Indy 500 starting several hours earlier than the 600. Patrick didn’t rule out racing again in an IndyCar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, though, and hinted she would attempt an Indy 500-Coke 600 doubleheader as her Sprint Cup team owner, Tony Stewart, had done three times.

Patrick, who is running a full Nationwide Series schedule at JR Motorsports and part-time Cup schedule for Stewart Haas Racing as she makes the transition from open wheel racing to stock cars, said it was a business decision to run NASCAR’s longest race.

Patrick competed in her first Indianapolis 500 in 2005 and finished fourth, the highest finish in that race for a female driver. It remains her goal to win the 500.

“It was just something that didn’t work out, the business side of things didn’t work out,” Patrick said. “Again, I’m hopeful to do it in the future, but this year it didn’t happen.”

Patrick will make her Sprint Cup debut in the Feb. 26 Daytona 500. She announced eight of her 10 races late last season. The 600 leaves her with one open slot. Patrick didn’t rule out making the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis her 10th Cup race.

When she announced her move to NASCAR last August, Patrick said that a return to Indy would have to be with Andretti Autosport, her Izod IndyCar Series team the past five seasons. Stewart said the team left the decision to Patrick.

“We didn’t tell her she couldn’t run the 500,” Stewart said. “Obviously, she’s running the Nationwide car full time, and it’s a good weekend to get a lot of laps in the car. I don’t think about (Indy) anymore. It’s been so long since I’ve done it. You just focus. It shows how dedicated she is to making this transition.”

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