Danica Patrick, the most famous female racecar driver ever, continues to showcase her skills despite retiring. From a modest upbringing in the Midwest, she has become an inspiration for women in sports and driving around the world. Learn about her journey, current activities, and future prospects as she heads towards new endeavors.
Midwest Beginnings
Danica Sue Patrick was born on March 25th, 1982, in the town of Beloit, Wisconsin, but she spent most of her childhood in an even tinier town, Roscoe, Illinois. Her parents were Terry Joseph Patrick Jr. and Beverly Ann Patrick. Initially, becoming a racecar driver wasn’t a part of her aspirations. Her list of ambitions was rather long and included the likes of being a veterinarian, a singer, and a secretary. So, how did she become interested in driving? As with many other things in life, it was due to boredom. While boredom may be the catalyst for a lifetime of careers, necessity is often the mother of invention.
Starting with Go-Karts
Before her teenage years, Danica and her sister Brooke had few activities to do, prompting their parents to search for a way to bond through a shared activity. They considered buying a boat, but after trying out a friend’s go-kart, the girls became interested in the sport. Brooke was the first to show her desire for her own kart, and Danica soon followed. At ten and eight, they each received their own go-kart.
Passionate about Racing
Danica quickly developed a passion for racing while competing against her sister and friends. Her racing experience improved her coordination, courage, and handling skills. At thirteen, she asked her parents to move to California so she could race more often. Although some may call Danica a prodigy, racing requires frequent training to hone skills and nerves, and Danica was no exception.
Not Just a Driver
During her teenage years, Danica trained to improve her driving skills while also cheerleading for her high school and babysitting for neighbors. It’s impressive to think that Danica Patrick could have been your babysitter. Yet, despite other activities, she remained focused on driving for a significant part of her life. Children and teenagers have an exceptional ability to concentrate on activities without adult responsibilities like taxes and childcare, channeling their focus toward activities that could take them around the world.
Supportive Parents
Danica had unwavering support from her parents throughout her journey in the driving world, making a significant difference in her success. Her parents not only offered support but were actively involved in helping Danica win races, with her father serving as her crew chief and coach while her mother tracked her stats. They bonded as a family over this unique and exciting experience.
Establishing Her Identity
By the time most teenagers were celebrating their sweet sixteens, Danica had already won regional and national go-kart awards. The young racer had set her sights on bigger goals, and once she reached the legal driving age, she was determined to transition to real road racing. However, the path to success was not going to be an easy one. It was a challenging decision that required a couple of things, such as moving the entire family. At the age of sixteen, Danica was still young and not fully equipped to make such significant decisions.
Spreading the Word
Danica’s father, Terry, contacted local news stations to document her progress in road racing, knowing that increasing her popularity would benefit her in the long run. His efforts paid off when MTV featured her in a segment that caught the attention of John Mecom Jr., a former owner of the New Orleans Saints and a Texas oilman who wanted to help Danica with her career.
Swapping Schools
John Mecom Jr. offered to sponsor Danica for the United Kingdom racing circuit and attend a high-quality racing school. The Patrick family accepted the deal and had to move to England, leaving behind Danica’s friends, life, and home in the middle of her junior year of high school. Despite these changes, Danica remained determined to take the next step towards her racing career.
Leaving High School Behind
Danica’s driving talent led her to withdraw from high school and relocate to England to advance her racing career. She faced several challenges, including adapting to a new country, racing environment, and different vehicles. Nonetheless, she was determined to succeed, and in the late 1990s, the Patricks moved to England and worked hard to make the transition.
Becoming Tougher
Danica faced challenges when moving to England, including adapting to a new country, racing environment, and different vehicles. She had to adjust to a new braking system. Despite facing challenges, Danica was determined to advance her driving career. However, her reputation was affected by rumors of an extravagant lifestyle, which persisted despite her success as a young driver. As a minor celebrity, rumors about her personal life became a persistent issue.
Losing Her Sponsor
Mecom’s decision to drop Danica from the team of drivers was prompted by the rumors about her lifestyle, true or not. However, her family remained supportive, with her father, Terry, who pledged to invest in her racing career despite losing her sponsor. Terry’s decision to invest in his daughter’s racing career was not an easy one, as it meant not only financing Danica’s schooling but also providing the necessary materials, equipment, and, of course, the car. His investment was a gamble, but it paid off two years later, propelling Danica’s career forward.
Second Place
Danica impressed many by achieving second place in the Formula Ford Festival in 2000, a British competition featuring single-seat racing cars powered by Ford engines. Her performance was remarkable, and she gained massive recognition at just 18 years old. Despite losing by only half a second, she delivered the best performance by an American in the European contest. She stood on the podium with British racing legend Anthony Denis Davidson.
Put the Pedal Down
The Indy 500 is a highly popular sporting event, but female racers have faced significant participation hurdles. Women were only allowed to compete in the 1970s, and few attempted to do so. In 2002, Bobby Rahal offered Danica an Indy contract, but her season did not go as planned, and she missed the chance to compete in the Indy 500.
A Second Chance
After spending a few more years in various racing circuits, Danica Patrick got another opportunity with Rahal Letterman Racing after joining Rahal Letterman Racing in 2004. Danica was determined to make the most of her opportunity. Her impressive performance earned her a chance to compete in the Indy 500, where she could showcase her driving skills and potentially earn prestigious awards.
Starting Rough
In 2005, Patrick’s career took a turn when her first Indy race ended in a multi-car crash. Her car hit the wall after being hit by another car spinning out of control. Patrick was hospitalized with a mild concussion, but she had anticipated the risks involved in racing. Despite the setback, she had ample time to make up for it for the rest of the year.
Staying Focused
Danica remained optimistic after the crash, knowing that the season was just beginning. While missing out on a top-ten finish would have been disappointing, she had plenty of other chances. In fact, she almost won another race not long after. Despite setbacks, Danica kept her sights on her ultimate goal and made history that same year. Just two months after her crash, she competed in her first Indy 500, a grueling 500-mile race that only the best drivers get to participate in.
Just Barely Missing the Podium
Danica Patrick had a remarkable accomplishment in the Indy 500 race, finishing fourth out of thirty-three drivers and leading for nineteen laps, despite being a young driver. Competing in the Indy 500 was a significant challenge, but Danica proved she was up for it, even setting the fastest overall practice speed for a woman. This impressive feat led to her earning the pole position in the next Indy race held in Kansas.
Gaining Accolades
Despite being a rookie, Danica’s skills and achievements gained the attention and admiration of the racing world. She became the second woman ever to earn a pole position at an Indy race, which earned her significant attention. Despite her crash in the first race, she was still awarded “Rookie of the Year” for 2005 and won the “Most Popular Driver” award from the Indy Racing League for three consecutive years. Danica’s accomplishments made her an admired athlete, and her popularity skyrocketed.
A Huge First
Danica was a talented and media-friendly driver who was making a name for herself in the racing world. As time passed, she continued to improve and establish herself as a prominent figure in the big leagues. Her hard work and persistence paid off in 2008 when she made history by winning her first race, Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi Indy 300. This victory made her the first female driver to win a major-league open-wheel racing event and the first woman to win the race.
Number One
At just 23 years old, Danica was named Rookie of the Year, and by 26, she made sports history. She also ranked number one on AOL’s “Annual List of Top Web, Mobile, and Video Searches,” surpassing well-known names like Tiger Woods and Tom Brady. This showed her growing popularity and influence not only in sports but also in popular culture. Some critics attributed her fame to her modeling contracts and appearances in “Sports Illustrated” or advertisements, but Danica maintained her focus on the track.
Doing Things Her Way
Danica was fearless in modeling, posing in a bikini for “Sports Illustrated,” and winking in GoDaddy.com ads. Critics claimed her fame came from modeling, but Danica stayed true to herself. She refused to be defined by her looks and felt that comments focused too much on her appearance rather than her accomplishments in a male-dominated sport.
Taking the World by Storm
This girl Danica from a small town in the Midwest, had taken the world by storm, gracing magazine covers and beating established professionals in races with her style. Despite not all of her actions being universally accepted (such as the aforementioned racy GoDaddy.com ads), no one could deny Danica’s talent, fame, and beauty. Her star was rising until she met Paul Edward Hospenthal.
A Racing Heart
Danica Patrick’s racing career was taking off, and her popularity was skyrocketing when she met Paul Edward Hospenthal, gracing magazine covers and beating established professionals in races with her style. Though not all of her actions were accepted, Danica’s talent, fame, and beauty were undeniable. Her star was rising until she met Paul Edward Hospenthal. After a while, Danica and Paul Edward Hospenthal began a romantic relationship, but Danica attempted to keep it private.
An Even Better Year Than We Thought
Danica got engaged to Hospenthal in 2005, the same year she won Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver awards. Paul, a successful physical therapist, had built a business from scratch and helped Danica manage her newfound wealth. He taught her financial management and self-worth lessons, including the importance of saving for retirement. Paul was enthusiastic about teaching his new wife everything he knew.
Not Meant to Be
After seven years of marriage, Danica and Paul decided to split up for reasons that remain private. It happened around the time when most couples face challenges in their relationship, about seven to eight years after getting married. Despite Danica’s unique personality, she and Paul were not immune to common relationship difficulties.
Not Slowing Down
Patrick has a tendency to move quickly in her personal life, after her split from Paul, Danica quickly found a new romantic relationship with fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Despite their impressive racing accomplishments, their five-year relationship did not progress as far as her previous one. Stenhouse was a catch himself, having earned a couple of Rookie of the Year awards and won back-to-back Nationwide Series championships in 2011 and 2012. Ricky ultimately ended things, citing feeling pressured to propose before he was ready.
A Year to Remember
In 2013, Danica had a great year, achieving unprecedented success in the NASCAR Cup Series. She recorded the fastest qualifying time for the Daytona 500 race, finishing in the top ten and securing the highest-ever position for a woman in the race. Her achievement broke the glass ceiling for women in racing and drew widespread attention.
Not Just for Women
Danica Patrick achieved remarkable success in NASCAR Cup Series and became a role model for women, but she never saw herself as a spokesperson for women’s advancement. In an interview with “The LA Times” in 2020, she stated that her message was for everyone, not just women. Her focus was to inspire people to achieve their goals and reach their full potential, and she did pave the way for women in racing, although that wasn’t her primary objective.
You Can’t Race Forever
Danica Patrick encouraged people to pursue their passions and stay true to themselves, not wanting to be exclusively associated with women. Despite her strong work ethic and grounded mindset, many people believed that Danica Patrick would continue racing for much longer than she actually did. People had speculated that she would continue racing, but she realized in 2018 that injuries and age had taken a toll on her, and it was time to move on.
Going out With a Bang
Danica Patrick retired from racing after 13 years due to the dangers of the sport. Her decision was also influenced by losing one of her sponsors in 2018, and she announced that it would be her final year of racing full-time. She didn’t want to end her career on a low note and aimed to be remembered as a champion who accomplished great things.
The Final Double
Danica planned to end her career by racing in her favorite events, the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500, known as the “Danica Double,” but crashes prevented her from finishing. When she announced her retirement, she planned to race in these two competitions as celebratory send-offs, hoping to end her career on a high note as a racing legend. Despite this setback, 2018 brought new opportunities for Danica outside of racing.
Fraternizing With the Enemy
A lifelong Chicago Bears fan, Danica surprised many when she started a high-profile relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after splitting from Stenhouse. Despite this, she was happy to support him and participate in the Danica Double, marking her retirement from racing. Rodgers was supportive of her, and although his team frequently defeated the Bears, Danica remained loyal to her hometown team.
Spending Some Time on the Red Carpet
In 2018, Danica Patrick hosted the ESPY Awards, but her performance was criticized for her awkwardness and poor comedic timing. Nevertheless, many people admired her stunning off-the-shoulder mini dress and open sandals. It was both her and her boyfriend Aaron Rodgers’ first appearance at the event. While her performance wasn’t outstanding, she did well enough, given the pressure of being on stage.
Done After Two Years
Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers’ relationship came to an end in July 2020. The news broke after Danica unfollowed Rodgers on Instagram, and the couple later announced their breakup. Although they had traveled extensively and shared romantic photos on the platform, the two had grown apart. Danica mentioned on her podcast that sometimes relationships end, even for famous people, and any future partner will have to meet certain expectations.
Moving On
After their breakup, both Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers have moved on. Rodgers is now engaged to actress Shailene Woodley. Meanwhile, Danica has been focusing on her business ventures, including her wine brand Somnium and her fashion line Warrior. She has also written books and hosts a podcast series called “Pretty Intense.” It appears that the business advice she received from Paul has been beneficial.
The Cameo and the Good Work
Danica’s achievements extend beyond her business ventures. In 2019, she appeared in “Charlie’s Angels” as a driving instructor, a nod to her racing career. She is also recognized for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in providing healthy food to those in need. Her social media platforms promote healthy living and exercise.
Her Small Stature
Danica Patrick, a petite five-foot-two driver, is a big name in racing. Her lightweight provides an advantage on the track, but some, like Robby Gordon, criticized her for it, suggesting that it gave her an unfair advantage over larger drivers. Gordon even threatened to boycott racing against her unless the playing field was leveled.
Too Busy for Kids
Danica Patrick, who was married to Paul Hospenthal for seven years, did not have children. Due to her small size, it was not feasible for her to continue driving with a baby bump due to concerns for her health and the safety of the baby. Danica made the decision to freeze her eggs, undergoing hormone treatment procedures. Her dedication to physical fitness and health has helped prepare her for the possibility of becoming a parent someday.
A Focus on Head Injuries
Over time, increasing awareness of head injuries in sports has led NASCAR and other racing organizations to take note. Despite safety rules, crashing into a wall at 150 miles per hour can result in significant damage. Patrick has had multiple concussions throughout her career, making her vulnerable to serious risks in future crashes. This is one of the reasons why she chose to step back from racing.
How Is She Rated?
Although Danica Patrick is a well-known name in racing, she has not achieved the same level of success as her peers and has never made it to the podium in any NASCAR events. However, her influence as a role model for young drivers and her impact on pop culture remains significant, despite some criticism that she is overrated.
Never Stop Growing
Danica Patrick, a retired racer, remains active and prioritizes her health. She enjoys skiing and snowboarding and emphasizes the importance of focusing on strengths and weaknesses. She is committed to enhancing her physical abilities, including through yoga. There are varying opinions on whether to improve strengths or weaknesses, and it’s unclear which approach Danica takes.
Time with Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls is widely known as the ultimate outdoor man, even if you don’t watch his shows. In 2021, Danica had the privilege of being on one of his shows. Grylls’s shows are all about facing one’s fears, and Danica had to do the same. She shared on her Instagram account that she did everything that scared her the most, and that growth awaited her on the other side of fear. In life, Danica has experienced both extreme highs and lows. She has been through heartbreaks, celebrated victories, and everything in between.
Trying to Love Out Again
Danica Patrick found love with Carter Comstock, co-founder of Freshly Meals, at the age of 39, proving that age is not a barrier. The couple announced their relationship in March 2021 and appear to be happy together. Danica’s willingness to take risks and not give up on finding love is an inspiration to others.
A Problem With Anger
Danica Patrick has struggled with anger issues in the past, which resulted in her expressing frustration through negative behaviors like stomping feet, obscene gestures, and using foul language. She has since made an effort to change herself and become more conscious of how she is perceived by others. This change was brought on by the need to constantly apologize for her behavior and deal with drama, leading her to understand the importance of controlling her emotions.
A Marketing Mind
Danica Patrick is skilled in marketing and has endorsed various products, but some of her GoDaddy.com ads were deemed too risqué and removed from TV. Despite the criticism, other drivers did not push back. Race car drivers often make money from branding, featuring multiple sponsors on their cars. Nevertheless, Danica has faced undue criticism despite the common practice.
Sponsor Lawsuits
In 2015, Danica Patrick’s racing team signed a three-year deal with Nature’s Bakery as their primary sponsor. Still, the company pulled out after just one year, alleging that Patrick had promoted a rival’s product. A lawsuit ensued, but Patrick’s team eventually settled with Nature’s Bakery for $31 million, the remainder of the contract.
A Series Ironwoman
Danica holds an Indy record with fifty consecutive races, beating the previous record of twenty-four. However, Dixon may reclaim the record. She also holds the record for appearing in ten Super Bowl commercials, but it’s possible she may not hold onto it for long due to the number of celebrity appearances each year.
A Sponsor Herself
Danica sponsored her niece’s under-10 girls’ softball team in Phoenix, known as the Green Machines, with uniforms in her signature colors. She attends their practices or games but tries not to draw attention to herself. Despite this, her celebrity status sometimes slows down the action on the diamond. Danica has said that meeting a celebrity is not the worst thing in the world.
Favorite Numbers
Danica Patrick’s favorite number for her cars is four, and she will try to select it if available. If not, she chooses a number that includes the digit four. If she can’t get her preferred single-digit number, she usually picks between four or ten, which she used for her Stewart Haas Racing Spring Cup car, chosen because it was her age when she began racing go-karts. The reason for her affinity for the number four remains unknown.
Doing a Good Deed
Danica Patrick has a strong aversion to popsicles, but in 2020, she helped fulfill a request made by a young fan of her boyfriend, Aaron Rodgers. The fan, who had just had her tonsils removed, tearfully asked for 400 popsicles in a video that went viral. Together, Patrick and Rodgers arranged for the fan to receive 400 Otter Pops instead, fulfilling her request.
