Sarah Fisher spent more time on the South Florida roads Thursday than she did at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Fisher, who is 25th in the IndyCar standings, drove to and from the nightclub LIV on South Beach for a party benefiting breast cancer research.

The bash, thrown by Fisher and Danny Wood, an original member of New Kids On The Block, raised money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Fisher, whose team is decked in pink this week for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, likely didn't stay at LIV too late.

She had an 8 a.m. meeting at Homestead on Friday, and has called a news conference for later Friday to announce the addition of a new driver to her team for selected events.

The driver, whose name has not been released, will take over the No. 66 car.

``We're trying to be bigger and better every year,'' Fisher said. ``It's a relief to be in such a position, when there are so many teams struggle every year.''

DANICA, DANICA

Danica Patrick can't seem to stay out of the headlines.

Patrick, who has become a national curiosity as much for her sex appeal as her performance on the track, reportedly will remain with the Indy Racing League next season, agreeing to a three-year extension with Andretti Green Racing.

There has been widespread speculation that Patrick would make the jump from IRL, where she has won just once in 83 career starts, to NASCAR.

``I'm definitely looking at doing some NASCAR stuff,'' Patrick told The Associated Press, stopping short of confirming she will sign an extension. ``And when we figure out what that is, we'll announce it. But we haven't figured it out yet.''

Patrick will practice and qualify at Homestead on Friday, ahead of Saturday's season-ending Indy 300. Patrick's best finish at Homestead came in 2008, when she finished sixth after starting second.

HOT, HOT

Weather in Indianapolis, home of the IRL, at 4 p.m. Thursday: 52 degrees and rainy.

Temperature under a cloudless sky at Homestead at the same time: 91 degrees, with a heat index of 101.

And it was even hotter on the asphalt.

``The thermometer said 109 in our pit, so you've got to add about 30 degrees to that in the car,'' said Grand Am driver Alex Gurney, who holds an eight-point lead in the standings in the standings with co-driver Jon Fogarty.

``The longer you are in these cars, the hotter it's going to get.''

Don't expect it to be any better on race-day. Forecasters call for a high of 92 Saturday, with no chance of rain.

BUSY, BUSY

The planners at IRL sure pack a lot into three days.

For Thursday, there were Grand Am and Indy Lights practices, two-seater rides around the Homestead track for VIPs and an autograph session for drivers at Dadeland Mall.

Friday will be even more hectic, with IndyCar practice and qualifying and Indy Lights qualifying and race (set to begin at 6 p.m.).

Saturday's schedule is as follows: the Grand Prix of Miami is at 1 p.m., and the Indy 300 green flag drops at 5 p.m.