Patrick Dempsey might quit Grey's Anatomy to be a race car driver

According to People magazine, McDreamy will only commit to a ninth season of the hospital drama if it can fit around his racing schedule.

"The biggest point for me in negotiations is getting time off to come race," the 45-year-old actor told reporters at the Daytona International Speedway, where he was preparing for an upcoming race. "So if I don't miss races, I'll probably stay on Grey's Anatomy."

Patrick added that while racing is his "real passion", he still enjoys Grey's Anatomy and hopes to work out a deal to stay on the show — contrary to his claims last year that he plans to quit the long-running series at the end of its current season, which his publicist later denied.