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Who Is Danica Patrick?
Danica Patrick is a retired professional race car driver, widely recognized for her trailblazing career in motorsport. Patrick made history throughout her career, becoming the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 and the first to win a race on the IndyCar circuit in 2008. She later transitioned to stock car racing, where she made further strides, including becoming the first woman to secure the pole position at the Daytona 500 in 2013. After retiring from competitive racing in 2018, Patrick shifted focus to media, launching the Pretty Intense podcast.
Early Life and Career
Born Danica Sue Patrick on March 25, 1982, in Beloit, Wisconsin, Patrick’s interest in racing began at a young age. She started racing go-karts with her sister at age 10 and later moved to England to further her career, where she achieved a historic second-place finish at the Formula Ford Festival—an unprecedented achievement for both an American and a woman in the event. In 2002, she joined Rahal Letterman Racing, co-owned by former race car driver Bobby Rahal and TV host David Letterman. During her early years, Patrick garnered consistent top finishes, though victory eluded her.
Driving Career
In 2005, Patrick made a significant impact at the Indianapolis 500, becoming the fourth woman to compete in the race. Her fourth-place finish set a new benchmark for female drivers, surpassing the previous best of ninth set by Janet Guthrie in 1978. Patrick’s performance was historic—she led 19 laps of the race, becoming the first woman to lead the Indy 500. That same year, she earned her first pole position at Kansas Speedway and was named Rookie of the Year in the Indy Racing League (IRL).
Despite facing the tragic loss of her teammate, Paul Dana, at the start of the 2006 season, Patrick maintained strong performances throughout the year and ended the season ranked ninth in the standings. She was also recognized as Female Athlete of the Year by the United States Sports Academy.
In 2008, Patrick etched her name further into history by becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race, a milestone that was followed by an impressive third-place finish at the Indianapolis 500 in 2009. Her consistent performance culminated in 2010 with a record-setting 29 consecutive races running at the finish, showcasing her determination and skill.
Patrick made her transition to NASCAR in 2010, joining the Xfinity Series, and in 2012, she made her NASCAR Sprint Cup debut. In 2013, she made history once again by winning the pole position at the Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to do so. She finished eighth in the race and secured second place in the Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year standings.
Though she was still seeking her first major Sprint Cup victory, Patrick achieved several notable milestones, including a career-best sixth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2014. She continued to break records, setting the most top 10 finishes for a woman in Sprint Cup history by 2015.
Faced with the challenge of losing sponsorship, Patrick announced in 2017 that she would retire from full-time racing after competing in the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 in 2018. While neither race marked a fairy-tale conclusion to her career, with both events ending in crashes, Patrick expressed gratitude for her remarkable journey in motorsports.
“I’m grateful for all of it,” she said after her final Indy 500 race. “I just wish I could have finished stronger.”
Patrick’s legacy in motorsport remains enduring, as she continues to inspire women in racing and beyond.
Other Projects and Post-Racing Career
Danica Patrick’s prominence as a female race car driver, coupled with her youth and striking appearance, opened up numerous media opportunities. She served as a host on Spike TV, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and appeared in various commercials and music videos. In 2006, she published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line, sharing insights into her career and personal journey.
In preparation for life after racing, Patrick expanded her interests into business and entrepreneurship. She founded Somnium Vineyard in Deer Park, California, where she began producing wine, and launched the Warrior clothing line. In 2017, Patrick released a second book, Pretty Intense: The 90-Day Mind, Body and Food Plan That Will Absolutely Change Your Life, offering readers a holistic approach to health and wellness.
Further diversifying her career, Patrick launched the Pretty Intense podcast in August 2019, where she shares motivational content. Early guests included a range of influential figures, such as former baseball star Alex Rodriguez, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and activist Gloria Steinem.
Personal Life
Patrick married physical therapist Paul Edward Hospenthal in 2005, but the couple filed for divorce in January 2013. In her divorce paperwork, Patrick stated that “My marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.” Shortly thereafter, she revealed her relationship with fellow stock car driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Patrick and Stenhouse ended their relationship in late 2017, after which she began dating Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, in July 2020, Patrick’s representative confirmed that she and Rodgers had parted ways.