Danica Patrick salutes Robert Yates for Darlington

Danica Patrick will drive a Robert Yates car after all.

Years ago, when Yates was still an active car owner in what is now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, he tried to hire Patrick. Admitting he has always been a supporter of hers, the NASCAR Hall of Famer wanted to put her in his iconic No. 28 Ford.

"Her dad (T.J. Patrick) was for it, but she wanted to win in IndyCar," Yates said. "She did the right thing."

In three weeks at Darlington Raceway, things will come full circle.

On Monday, Yates joined Patrick at Stewart-Haas Racing (pictured) where the unveiled her throwback paint scheme for Darlington's Southern 500. The livery of the No. 10 Ford that Patrick will run resembles the No. 88 Quality Care car Dale Jarrett drove for Yates from 1996 through 2000.

After the cover was pulled from the car and Yates could understand and appreciate the honor, he hugged Patrick. He then proudly proclaimed that he's always rooted for her.

"That's so cool. What an honor," Patrick said of Yates' support. "He's seen not hundreds, but thousands of drivers come through and for him to cheer for me makes me feel good. And makes me want to do better even more at Darlington so he can have a smile on his face."

Admittedly, Patrick didn't realize the connection between her and Yates at first.

Near the end of her teenage years, Patrick went to England to cut her teeth in the British open-wheel racing system. When she returned, Ford – the manufacturer she was involved with at the time and now currently drives for – tried to help Patrick make it into the top levels of stock cars.

That's where Yates saw his chance. However, Patrick went the IndyCar route. She eventually transitioned to full-time NASCAR competition in the Xfinity Series in 2012 and moved into the Cup Series the following year.

"Back in the early days when I came back from England ... (he was) trying to get me into the 28 through the Ford system," Patrick said. "I didn't even know he knew my name.

"That is not necessarily the route that I went but, ironically enough, here we are. What's meant to be will find its way."

In five previous starts at Darlington, Patrick has a career-best finish of 22nd (2014).

"I'm pulling for Danica to do something outstanding there," Yates said of the Sept. 3 race. "I've always pulled for her. And in the respect of some people saying she doesn't deserve to be out there, I stand up and advocate for her.

"I hope she wins. I hope she makes (everyone) completely wrong and she's come close to it. I pull for her."