Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Danica Patrick
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Danica Patrick made an impact.
Danica Patrick is a retired American professional racing driver and model, notable as the most successful woman in American open-wheel car racing. Her landmark achievement includes winning the 2008 Indy Japan 300, marking the only IndyCar Series race victory by a female driver. Patrick's career has broken barriers and paved the way for women in motorsports.
1974: First Woman Racing in Championship
In 2003 Danica Patrick was the first woman to race in the Toyota Atlantic Series championship since 1974.
1978: Janet Guthrie's Tenth-Place Finish
In 1978, Janet Guthrie achieved a tenth-place finish, a record that Danica Patrick beat in 2014.
1994: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1994, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the Yamaha Sportsman class.
1994: Shawna Robinson's Pole Position
In 1994, Shawna Robinson became the first woman to achieve a pole position in national NASCAR.
1996: Accepted into Lyn St. James Foundation Driver Development Program
In 1996, Danica Patrick was accepted into the Indianapolis-based Lyn St. James Foundation Driver Development Program.
1996: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1996, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.
1997: Won WKA Grand National Championship
In 1997, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.
May 1998: Competed in SCCA Race at Daytona
In May 1998, Danica Patrick competed in a Sports Car Club of America race at Daytona International Speedway.
1998: Moved to the United Kingdom
In 1998, Danica Patrick dropped out of high school and moved to the United Kingdom to further her racing career.
1998: Dropped Out of High School and Moved to England
In 1998, Danica Patrick's parents consented to her dropping out of high school to move to England and advance her racing career.
1999: Competed in British Formula Vauxhall Championship
In 1999, Danica Patrick competed in the British Formula Vauxhall Championship, finishing ninth in points.
2000: Second in Formula Ford Festival
In 2000, Danica Patrick came second in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, tying Danny Sullivan's best performance by an American in the event.
2002: Competed in Barber Dodge Pro Series
In 2002, Danica Patrick participated in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races for Rahal Letterman Racing, marking another step in her racing career.
2002: Won Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
In 2002, Danica Patrick won the professional class of the fund-raising Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
2002: Sarah Fisher Achieved IndyCar Pole Position
In 2002, Sarah Fisher became the first woman in IndyCar Series history to achieve a pole position.
December 2004: Named to IndyCar Series Roster
In December 2004, Rahal Letterman Racing named Danica Patrick to their IndyCar Series roster for the 2005 season.
2004: Third in Toyota Atlantic Series Championship
During the 2004 season, Danica Patrick achieved her best result in the Toyota Atlantic Series, finishing third in the championship standings and becoming the first woman to win a pole position in the series.
2004: First Woman to Win Pole Position in Toyota Atlantic Series
In 2004, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a pole position in the Toyota Atlantic Series, at the Portland International Raceway race. She also became the first woman to lead the championship standings.
2005: IndyCar Series Debut and Rookie of the Year Awards
In 2005, Danica Patrick debuted in the IndyCar Series, achieved her best finish of fourth at the Indy Japan 300, and was named Rookie of the Year for both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series. She also took her first career pole position at Kansas Speedway.
2005: Most Popular Driver
In 2005, Danica Patrick was voted the IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver.
2006: Continued Racing with Rahal Letterman Racing
In 2006, Danica Patrick continued to race with Rahal Letterman Racing, further developing her skills and experience in the IndyCar Series.
2006: Endurance Racing Debut and IndyCar Season
In 2006, Danica Patrick made her endurance racing debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona and continued her IndyCar campaign with Rahal Letterman Racing, finishing ninth in the final standings. In November, she was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the March of Dimes.
2007: Moved to Andretti Green Racing
In 2007, Danica Patrick moved to Andretti Green Racing, achieving her then best career finish with a third at the Bombardier Learjet 550, and later improved to second at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix. She finished seventh in the drivers' standings.
November 2008: Formula One test called off
In November 2008, Danica Patrick was scheduled to test for Formula One team Honda, but this was called off when the Honda team pulled out of the sport.
2008: Indy Japan 300 Victory
In 2008, Danica Patrick achieved a historic victory in the Indy Japan 300, marking the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race.
2008: First IndyCar Victory
In 2008, Danica Patrick secured her first IndyCar victory at the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi on April 20, becoming the first woman to win a top-level sanctioned open wheel car racing event. She finished sixth in the final standings, the highest-placed American that season.
2008: Sixth Overall in Drivers' Standings
In 2008, following her Japan victory, Danica Patrick placed sixth overall in the IndyCar Series drivers' standings.
February 1, 2009: Appeared in two GoDaddy commercials during Super Bowl XLIII
On February 1, 2009, Danica Patrick appeared in two GoDaddy commercials aired during Super Bowl XLIII, including the most watched commercial of the Super Bowl, "Enhancement".
2009: Highest Indianapolis 500 Finish
In 2009, Danica Patrick achieved her best finish at the Indianapolis 500, placing third, setting a new record for the highest-placed finish for a woman in the history of the race. She ended the season fifth overall, her highest finish to date.
2009: US F1 considering testing Patrick
In late 2009, the American Formula One team US F1 allegedly considered testing Danica Patrick for a potential drive in 2010.
2010: Two Second-Place Finishes
During 2010, Danica Patrick secured two second-place finishes at oval tracks, showcasing her continued competitiveness in IndyCar.
2010: Second Place Finish at Texas Motor Speedway
In 2010, Danica Patrick had her best performance of the season at the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway, finishing in second place. She finished tenth in the drivers' standings.
2010: No Plans to Leave IndyCar Series
In 2010, Danica Patrick said she had not been contacted by US F1, and had no plans to leave the IndyCar Series for Formula One at the time.
2010: Most Popular Driver
In 2010, Danica Patrick was voted the IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver.
January 2011: Informs Andretti Team of Departure
In January 2011, Danica Patrick informed Michael Andretti, owner of the Andretti team, of her intention to leave at the end of the 2011 season.
August 2011: Plans to Focus on NASCAR
In August 2011, Danica Patrick announced her plans to focus full-time on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series starting in 2012.
2011: Left IndyCar for Stock Car Racing
After the 2011 season, Danica Patrick transitioned from IndyCar to focus on stock car racing full-time, marking a significant shift in her career.
2011: Fourth-Place Finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
In 2011, Danica Patrick achieved a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, marking her best result in the series.
2012: Full-Time in Nationwide Series and Limited Sprint Cup Schedule
In 2012, Danica Patrick raced full-time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports and began competing in a limited schedule in the Sprint Cup Series. She qualified on the pole for the DRIVE4COPD 300 and finished tenth in the Nationwide Series standings.
2012: Most Popular Driver
In 2012, Danica Patrick was voted the NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver.
2012: Ecclestone Advocates for Patrick in F1
In 2012, Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said that "to have someone like Danica Patrick in F1 would be a perfect advert."
2012: Contract Extension
In December 2009, Danica Patrick signed a contract extension through the 2012 season, with the option for a third year.
2012: Career-High Tenth in Nationwide Series Standings
In the 2012 season, Danica Patrick placed a career-high tenth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings, showing her progress and competitiveness in stock car racing.
2012: Focus on NASCAR
Starting in 2012, Danica Patrick shifts her focus to full-time racing in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series.
2013: First Woman to Clinch Daytona 500 Pole Position
In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first woman to clinch the pole position for the Daytona 500 and the first female to achieve the feat in the Sprint Cup Series. She finished eighth in the race, becoming the highest placing woman driver in the history of the Daytona 500.
2013: Won Cup Series Pole Position at Daytona 500
In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a Cup Series pole position by setting the fastest qualifying lap for the Daytona 500, and finished the race in eighth place.
2013: Pole for the 2013 Daytona 500
In 2014, Danica Patrick was eligible for the Sprint Unlimited because she won the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500.
2014: Sprint Cup Series
In 2014, Danica Patrick continued in the Sprint Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing, setting three records during the season, including being the first female to lead at the Aaron's 499. She also had the best qualifying performance for any woman at a non-restrictor plate track at the Coca-Cola 600.
2014: Joined The Players' Tribune as a Writer
In 2014, Danica Patrick joined The Players' Tribune as a featured writer.
2015: Crew Chief Assignment
Early in the 2015 season, Danica Patrick was assigned Kurt Busch's crew chief, Daniel Knost, for the final three races of 2014.
2015: Patrick Rejects Move to Formula One
In 2015, Danica Patrick asserted that she had no desire to move into Formula One, because she was too old to switch racing series and preferred being around her family and friends in NASCAR.
2015: Most Top Tens by a Woman in Sprint Cup Series History
In 2015, Danica Patrick had two top-ten finishes and eclipsed Janet Guthrie for the most top tens by a woman in Sprint Cup Series history. She also became the first woman to start a hundred Cup Series races. She was later penalized for an intentional retaliatory crash.
2015: Bested Janet Guthrie's Record
In 2015, Danica Patrick surpassed Janet Guthrie's record for the most top-ten finishes by a woman in the Sprint Cup Series.
2016: 2016 Season
In 2016, Danica Patrick switched crew chiefs from Daniel Knost to Billy Scott for the upcoming season. She was fined for gesturing to Kasey Kahne after he wrecked her car and was involved in a high-speed crash with Matt Kenseth. She improved her average result to a career-high 22.0.
June 2017: Joined Fox's Cup Driver-Only Broadcast
In June 2017, Danica Patrick joined Fox's Cup driver-only broadcast of the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway, working in the studio alongside Denny Hamlin.
2017: Stopped Racing Full-Time
After the 2017 season, Danica Patrick stopped racing full-time, marking a transition in her career.
2017: Best Finish in NASCAR Cup Series Race
In 2017, Danica Patrick had her best finish in any NASCAR Cup Series race with a fourth place at the Advance Auto Parts Clash exhibition race at Daytona. She announced that she would step away from full-time racing after the season finale.
January 2018: Partnership with GoDaddy for "Danica Double"
In January 2018, it was announced that Danica Patrick would reunite with GoDaddy for sponsorship of the "Danica Double" and assistance as she moved on to her life as a business woman and entrepreneur.
March 7, 2018: Indianapolis 500 Appearance
On March 7, 2018, it was announced that Danica Patrick's final Indianapolis 500 appearance would be in a third car for Ed Carpenter Racing.
2018: Plans to Compete in Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500
In 2017, Danica Patrick announced plans to compete in the 2018 Daytona 500 and 2018 Indianapolis 500 before she retires.
2018: Competed in Final Races and Retired
In 2018, Danica Patrick competed at the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 before officially retiring from racing.
2018: Final Race at Indianapolis 500
In 2018, Danica Patrick's final race was the Indianapolis 500. She crashed on Lap 68 due to difficulty with the car setup.
August 2019: Launched 'Pretty Intense' Podcast
In August 2019, Danica Patrick launched a weekly podcast called Pretty Intense, in which she discusses success, spirituality, and consciousness with guests.
2021: Joined Sky Sports F1 Broadcast Team
In 2021, Danica Patrick joined the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team as a pundit for the United States Grand Prix.
2024: Pundit for Formula 1: Drive to Survive
In 2024, Danica Patrick became a pundit for the sixth season of the Netflix documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive.
