Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Danica Patrick

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Danica Patrick made an impact.

Danica Patrick is an American former professional racing driver and model notable for her success in traditionally male-dominated motorsports. Competing in IndyCar (2005-2011) and NASCAR (2012-2018), she achieved the distinction of being the most successful woman in American open-wheel car racing history. Her victory at the 2008 Indy Japan 300 marks the only IndyCar win by a female driver, solidifying her place in racing history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1974: First Woman in the Championship Since 1974

In 1974, a woman last raced in the championship.

1978: Comparison to Janet Guthrie's Record

In 2014, when Danica Patrick achieved her best finish in the Sprint Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway, it beat Janet Guthrie's tenth-place finish in 1978.

1994: World Karting Association Grand National Championship Win

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 clinch a pole position in the Nationwide Series.

1994: Second Woman to Achieve Pole Position in NASCAR

In 2012, when Danica Patrick qualified on the pole for the DRIVE4COPD 300, she became the second woman to achieve this in national NASCAR since Shawna Robinson in 1994.

1996: Karting Titles

In 1996, Danica Patrick continued to win karting titles, showcasing her early racing talent.

1996: Acceptance 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.

1997: World Karting Association Grand National Championship

In 1997, Danica Patrick won the World Karting Association Grand National Championship in the HPV class.

May 1998: Sports Car Club of America Race

In May 1998, Danica Patrick competed in a Sports Car Club of America race at Daytona International Speedway.

1998: Move to England

In 1998, Danica Patrick dropped out of high school and moved to England to further her racing career.

1998: Move to the United Kingdom

In 1998, with her parents' permission, Danica Patrick dropped out of high school and moved to the United Kingdom to advance her racing career.

1999: British Formula Vauxhall Championship

In 1999, Danica Patrick came ninth in points in the British Formula Vauxhall Championship.

2000: 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.

2001: Return to the United States

In 2001, Danica Patrick returned to the United States due to a lack of funding after competing in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford in the United Kingdom.

2002: Barber Dodge Pro Series Races

In 2002, Danica Patrick competed in five Barber Dodge Pro Series races for Rahal Letterman Racing.

2002: Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Win

In 2002, Danica Patrick won the professional class and placed third overall in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.

2002: Second Woman in IndyCar Series History

In 2002, Sarah Fisher was the second woman in IndyCar Series history.

2003: Toyota Atlantic Series Debut

In 2003, Danica Patrick switched to the Toyota Atlantic Series and secured the first podium for a woman in series' history at the season-opening race in Monterey.

December 2004: Joining Rahal Letterman Racing IndyCar Series

In December 2004, Rahal Letterman Racing announced Danica Patrick would join their IndyCar Series roster for the 2005 season.

2004: Pole Position and Points Lead 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 and also took the points lead.

2004: Toyota Atlantic Series Standings

In the 2004 season, Danica Patrick achieved her best result in the Toyota Atlantic Series, finishing third in the championship standings. She also became the first woman to win a pole position in the series.

2005: IndyCar Series Debut and Rookie of the Year Awards

In 2005, Danica Patrick began her IndyCar Series career with Rahal Letterman Racing, achieving three pole positions and earning the Rookie of the Year awards for both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series.

2005: IndyCar Debut and Rookie Season

In 2005, Danica Patrick debuted in the IndyCar Series, achieving multiple firsts for women, including a pole position and finishing fourth at the Indianapolis 500. She was named Rookie of the Year for both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series. In 2005, Sarah Fisher was the second woman in IndyCar Series history to achieve the feat after Sarah Fisher in 2002.

2006: Second Year with Rahal Letterman Racing

In 2006, Danica Patrick continued with Rahal Letterman Racing, showing improvement but not securing any wins.

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 and being named Sportswoman of the Year by the March of Dimes. The quartet was in contention for the victory, but retired from overheating problems. Although she qualified third for the season-opening Toyota Indy 300, her team withdrew after teammate Paul Dana was killed in a practice session accident on the day of the race.

2007: Move to Andretti Green Racing and Career Finishes

In 2007, Danica Patrick moved to Andretti Green Racing, achieving her then best career finish with a third at the Bombardier Learjet 550, and improved on this result by clinching second at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix at Belle Isle Street Circuit. She also had a physical confrontation with Dan Wheldon.

2007: Move to Andretti Green Racing

In 2007, Danica Patrick moved to Andretti Green Racing, continuing her IndyCar career.

April 24, 2008: Guest on Late Show with David Letterman

On April 24, 2008, Danica Patrick was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman after winning her first IndyCar race.

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November 2008: Scheduled 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: 2008 Season Highlights

In 2008, Danica Patrick achieved her then-best career Homestead finish of sixth, followed by a tenth-place finish at St. Petersburg. On April 20, 2008, at the Indy Japan 300, she secured her maiden IndyCar victory, becoming the first woman to win a top-level open-wheel car racing event. She finished 19th at Kansas Speedway due to a hub failure and retired early from the Indianapolis 500 after a collision. She ended the season with three more top-ten finishes, placing her sixth overall, making her the highest-placed American driver of the season.

2008: Sixth Overall in Driver's Standings

In 2008, Danica Patrick followed up her Indy Japan 300 victory by placing sixth overall in the IndyCar Series drivers' standings.

2008: Indy Japan 300 Victory

In 2008, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, marking the only IndyCar win by a woman to date.

2009: 2009 Season

In 2009, Danica Patrick participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing eighth. She returned to Andretti Green Racing for the 2009 IndyCar season, placing nineteenth in St. Petersburg after a clash. She achieved fourth and fifth positions in Long Beach and Kansas, respectively. At the Indianapolis 500, she finished third, setting a new record for the highest-placed female finish. She secured seven more top-ten finishes and ended the season fifth overall, marking her highest finish to date.

2009: US F1 Team Considers Patrick

In late 2009, the American Formula One team US F1 allegedly considered testing Patrick for a potential drive in 2010.

2010: NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut

In 2010, Danica Patrick began racing stock cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series).

2010: 2010 Season

In 2010, Danica Patrick drove for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar and JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. She finished 15th at the São Paulo Indy 300 due to spinning in the weather. She finished seventh at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. At the Indianapolis 500, she finished sixth. At the Firestone 550, she finished in second. At the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, she set a record for consecutive races running at the finish. She finished tenth in the IndyCar standings.

2010: Two Second-Place Finishes

In 2010, Danica Patrick managed two second-place finishes at oval tracks despite a decline in overall form.

2010: No Plans to Leave IndyCar Series

In 2010, Danica Patrick stated she was not contacted by US F1 and had no plans to leave the IndyCar Series for Formula One at the time.

January 2011: Patrick Informs Andretti of Departure Plans

In January 2011, Danica Patrick informed Michael Andretti of her plans to leave his team in 2012.

August 2011: Focus on NASCAR Announced

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: Leaving IndyCar to Focus on Stock Car Racing

After the 2011 season, Danica Patrick left IndyCar to focus on stock car racing full-time.

2011: Fourth-Place Finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

In 2011, Danica Patrick achieved her best result in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

2011: 2011 Nationwide Series

In 2011, Danica Patrick competed in twelve races in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, finishing 14th and 12th in the first two races. She became the highest-finishing woman in national NASCAR history at Las Vegas, placing fourth in the Sam's Town 300 race. She finished tenth in the Subway Jalapeño 250 at Daytona. Her best performance for the rest of the season was eleventh at Texas Motor Speedway.

2012: Career-High Tenth in Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series Start

In 2012, Danica Patrick placed a career-high tenth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings and started in the Sprint Cup Series (now NASCAR Cup Series).

2012: 2012 Season in Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series

In 2012, Danica Patrick raced full-time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports and participated in ten races in the Sprint Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing in an alliance with Tommy Baldwin Racing. She qualified on the pole for the DRIVE4COPD 300. Her Daytona 500 ended early due to a four-car accident. She finished the Nationwide Series season with four top-ten finishes, placing tenth in the standings. Her best result was eighth at Texas Motor Speedway. Her best road course finish was at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, placing ninth.

2012: Ecclestone's Comment on Patrick in F1

In 2012, Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone stated that "to have someone like Danica Patrick in F1 would be a perfect advert."

2012: Contract Extension Signed in 2009 for 2012 Season

In December 2009, Danica Patrick signed a contract extension that would continue through the next two seasons, with an option for a third in 2012.

2012: Departure from Andretti Autosport

Starting from 2012, as revealed in January and August 2011, Danica Patrick focused on NASCAR, marking her departure from Andretti Autosport.

2013: Eligibility for Sprint Unlimited

Because Danica Patrick won the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500, she was eligible for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited, finishing sixteenth after being involved in a multi-car accident.

2013: Daytona 500 Pole Position

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, finishing eighth.

2013: 2013 Sprint Cup Season

In 2013, Danica Patrick returned to Stewart-Haas Racing for her first full season in the Sprint Cup Series. She became the first woman to clinch the pole position for the Daytona 500 and finished eighth in the race, making her the highest-placing woman driver in the history of the Daytona 500. She led five laps, joining an elite club of drivers to have led both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. In the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway, she finished ninth and advanced to the Sprint All-Star Race.

2014: 2014 Sprint Cup Series

In 2014, Danica Patrick continued with Stewart-Haas Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. During the Daytona 500, Aric Almirola clipped her, sending her car into a wall. She set three records: she was the first female to lead at the Aaron's 499, her finishing position of 22nd was the best for any woman at the circuit, and she had the best qualifying performance for any woman at a non-restrictor plate track for the Coca-Cola 600.

2014: Joined The Players' Tribune

In 2014, Danica Patrick joined The Players' Tribune as a featured writer, attracted to the concept of athletes writing and controlling their own content.

February 21, 2015: Booth Analyst for Xfinity Series Races

On February 21, 2015, NASCAR on Fox hired Danica Patrick as a booth analyst for Xfinity Series races, providing commentary for the race at Michigan.

2015: Patrick Declines 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: 2015 Season Highlights

In 2015, Danica Patrick continued with Stewart-Haas Racing. She finished tenth in the Sprint Unlimited. At the Daytona 500, she finished 21st. She surpassed Janet Guthrie for the most top-tens by a woman in Sprint Cup Series history. She became the first woman to start a hundred Cup Series races. She was fined and put on probation for an intentional retaliatory crash against David Gilliland. She finished 24th in the drivers' standings.

2015: Most Top-Ten Finishes by a Woman

In 2015, Danica Patrick surpassed Janet Guthrie's record for the most top-ten finishes by a woman in the Sprint Cup Series.

2015: Crew Chief Assignment for 2015

Towards the end of the 2014 season, Danica Patrick was assigned Daniel Knost as her full-time crew chief for 2015.

2016: 2016 Season

In 2016, Danica Patrick continued with Stewart-Haas Racing and switched crew chiefs to Billy Scott. At the Daytona 500, she retired due to contact with Greg Biffle. She was fined for gesturing to Kasey Kahne after he wrecked her car at the Auto Club 400. She was involved in a high-speed crash with Matt Kenseth at Talladega. Her best result was eleventh place at the fall Charlotte race. She finished 24th in the drivers' standings.

2017: End of Full-Time Racing

After the 2017 season, Danica Patrick stopped racing full-time.

2017: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Season

In 2017, Patrick continued racing with Stewart-Haas Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Her best finish was fourth at the Advance Auto Parts Clash, and she finished tenth at Dover. She announced her departure from full-time racing after the season finale at Homestead-Miami, but planned to compete in the 2018 Daytona 500 and 2018 Indianapolis 500. Her 2017 season concluded with one top-ten finish, eleven DNFs, and a 28th place in the standings.

January 2018: Reunion with GoDaddy for "Danica Double"

In January 2018, it was announced that Danica Patrick reunited 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: Final Indianapolis 500 Appearance

On March 7, 2018, it was announced that her final Indianapolis 500 appearance would be in a third car for Ed Carpenter Racing.

2018: Final Races and Retirement

In 2018, Danica Patrick competed at the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 before officially retiring.

2018: Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500

In 2018, Danica Patrick participated in the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 as part of her farewell tour. She retired halfway through when her right-rear tire blew after glancing the wall and she collided heavily with another barrier.

2018: Final Race and Crash at 2018 Indianapolis 500

In 2018, Danica Patrick's final race was the Indianapolis 500. On Lap 68, she lost control and crashed into the outside wall, finishing ranked thirtieth.

August 2019: Launched Podcast "Pretty Intense"

In August 2019, Danica Patrick launched a weekly podcast called Pretty Intense in which she discusses success, spirituality, and consciousness with guests.

2021: 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.

2022: NASCAR Cup Series Guest Color Commentator

In 2022, Danica Patrick was a guest color commentator for the NASCAR Cup Series races at Las Vegas and Phoenix for Fox.

2023: NASCAR Cup Series Guest Color Commentator

In 2023, Danica Patrick was a guest color commentator for the NASCAR Cup Series races at Las Vegas and Phoenix for Fox.

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.