Patrick secures NASCAR drive for Daytona 500

Danica Patrick has secured a drive with Premium Motorsports for her final NASCAR appearance in next month's Daytona 500.

After losing her seat with Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of last season, Patrick announced in November she would be retiring from racing in 2018 following swansong appearances in the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500, the latter marking her return to IndyCar after seven years away.

Patrick admitted earlier this month she was struggling to generate support to find a seat, only to strike a deal with former partner GoDaddy to sponsor her for both races.

Patrick confirmed on Monday she had signed a deal with Premium Motorsports for Daytona, leaving only her Indy 500 seat in need of filling, and will work with former crew chief Tony Eury Jr.

"I keep saying, 'I couldn't have written a better story about how this would all fall into place'. Going with the flow is working out beautifully," Patrick told the Associated Press.

"I'll be back in GoDaddy green, driving the #7 Chevrolet with Tony Jr. in my ear again. It all makes my last NASCAR race just that much sweeter.

"I'm feeling good energy with the sponsor and team we've put together for Daytona. I'm convinced that good vibes translate into performance, and I'm definitely feeling the good energy with this sponsor and team."

Patrick has been linked with a vacant seat at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the Indy 500, having seen negotiations with Chip Ganassi Racing break down earlier this month.