by Lee Spencer

However, on the heels of an earlier ESPN.com report that a deal was imminent, Earnhardt said there were still ongoing discussions between JRM and Patrick.

"We've been talking to her — we've made that known for quite some time and other teams have talked to her as well," Earnhardt said at an appearance for Quaker State. "She's really serious about coming to NASCAR. A lot of people thought it was just a ruse or her just kind of blowing smoke.

"She's really serious about it and she's going to do it with somebody. So we're working on details and trying to be a part of that puzzle. We'll know more in the future."

Sources at Michael Waltrip Racing and Kevin Harvick Inc., two teams previously linked with Patrick, said Wednesday there hadn't recently been dialogue with her camp.

The timing of the story is curious given that IndyCar is expected to announce IZOD as the series' title sponsor on Thursday.