Let’s Talk Danica Patrick!
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Danica Patrick places 8th in “The Great American Race” after top qualifying speed of 196.434 mph
The buzz is real, exciting and wrapped in lots of hype but there is no denying the talent of Americas newest sensation in the sporting arena, Danica Patrick. Daytona 500, 24th February 2013, Danica Patrick leads from the Pole, the first woman to win this position in Sprint Cup History, and maintains position in the top ten throughout the race being marked at third place at the white flag but unable to pull up at the very end with a result of eighth place. For Danica Patrick, the whole Daytona Speed weeks experience was simply about earning respect and after securing a pole position and finishing in the top 10, it is a foregone conclusion that her maiden Sprint Cup Series is definitely off to a great start!
A Little History On Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick And Racing
Born Danica Sue Patrick on March 25th 1982 in Wisconsin, USA, Danica Patrick began her racing career at the tender age of 10 go-karting and has racked up an impressive array of accomplishments since. Moving to England to further her racing career at 16 y/o with Formula Ford and Formula Vauxhall, Danica earned the highest place ever by an American in Britains Formula Fords Festival, a second. She then returned to America in 2002 where she began driving for Rahal Letterman Racing where she consistently finished in the top three but never managed to win a race.
In 2006 she moved to Indy Car Racing and in May 2005 Danica Patrick became the fourth woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500. She has since gained a fourth place position in the Indy 500 besting the previous record for a woman held by Janet Guthrie who achieved 9th place in 1977. In 2005 Danica won the title of “Rookie Of the Year” in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Car Series season. 2006 saw Danica achieving the title of “Sportswoman Of The Year” for her dedication and success.
In 2007 Danica Patrick started her career with Andretti Green Racing. In 2008 she won at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman ever to win an Indy Car race. 2012 Danica did a full season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with JR Motorsports and Sprint Cup races with the Stewart-Haas Team before going full time with that Team in 2013.
Media And Danica Patrick
The face of Danica Patrick has become quite synonymous with sport and she has fed this image avidly over the years with the sole purpose of gaining branding/recognition and respect. Danica has hosted several TV shows on Spike TV, been a guest on The Late Show With David Letterman, Late Night With Conan O’Brien and American Chopper, she has featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, answered a questionnaire for Playboy Magazine and posed for FHM Magazine as well as been on the cover of Travelgirl Magazine and American Libraries. She has featured in commercials for GoDaddy, Secret Deodorant and ESPN, was voted “Sexiest Athlete” in Victoria Secrets ‘What Is Sexy’ List in 2007 and she won the “Teen Choice Award” in 2008 and 2012 for favourite female athlete. Her acting debut began with an appearance on CSI:NY where she played a racing car driver suspected of murder, she also voiced herself in an episode on The Simpsons and has had two driving cameos in music videos.
Along with all the fame comes the inevitable merchandise that can be purchased by fans like T-shirts, caps, collectible die cast cars, flags, sweaters, jackets, jewellery, sunglasses, key rings, tote bags, cushions, wireless keyboard and mouse and even kids Halloween costumes. Every bit helps, right?
Who Partners With Danica Patrick?
GoDaddy is her major sponsor in racing along with Tisset Swiss Watches and Peak Antifreeze. On the personal front the line up includes Tisset Swiss Watches, Peak Antifreeze, Academy Sports, Alpine Stars Racing Products, Coca Cola Zero, Chevrolet, Drive4COPD, Hot Wheels Toys, Nationwide Insurance, O.P.I Nail Products, St Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, Schuberth Head Protection, SEGA, Troy Lee Designs and William Rast Eye Wear.
In her personal life Danica Patrick married, her then physical therapist, Paul Edward Hospenthal in 2005 but after 7 years divorced amicably in 2012. It has been revealed recently that she is now dating 2 time NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion and fellow Sprint Cup Rookie Of The Year candidate Ricky Stenhouse Jnr.
Danica Patrick, The Woman
Getting a little closer to the woman herself we find she loves to watch the food channel in her down time and listen to Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga, Florence And The Machine and Alanis Morrisette, she also has a penchant for Will Farrell, looks up to Gwen Stefani and Beyonce and her favourite designers are Alexander McQueen and Marchesa, Christian Louboutin for shoes and William Rast for eye wear.
In 2006 Danica Patrick released to the public her autobiography: Danica Crossing The Line. I have not read the book myself but after doing some research gleaned the opinion that this book is about a young, driven and aggressive woman making a life for herself in a mans world. She comes across as cold, focused and spoiled, there was a lack of warmth and personality and despite the fact that she claims the book is her way of ‘giving back’ it seems that all she achieved was a book that did not much more than herald herself. I will have to read it to form my own opinion but regardless of her personal attributes or lack of them there is no doubt that she has made her mark on the world in the racing section and has become a role model for all women and girls who want to make something of themselves.