Danica Patrick, who races NASCAR's ovals for Stewart-Haas Racing, is the most successful woman in the history of American racing.
Danica Patrick, who races NASCAR's ovals for Stewart-Haas Racing, is the most successful woman in the history of American racing.
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Here she poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Japan, making her the first woman in history to win an IndyCar race.
Here she poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile in 2008 in Japan, making her the first woman in history to win an IndyCar race.
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Patrick says she has never experienced sexism in her career, but concedes racing is a male-dominated sport. "I don't feel like I have lived in a day and age where I have experienced sexism," Patrick told CNN. "I think back to the days when women weren't allowed in the pits, and I've never had to experience that."
Patrick says she has never experienced sexism in her career, but concedes racing is a male-dominated sport. "I don't feel like I have lived in a day and age where I have experienced sexism," Patrick told CNN. "I think back to the days when women weren't allowed in the pits, and I've never had to experience that."
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Patrick is quite a fan of the selfie. Here she poses with a cow, while she has been known to take snaps during training sessions and behind the scenes in the racing pits.
Patrick is quite a fan of the selfie. Here she poses with a cow, while she has been known to take snaps during training sessions and behind the scenes in the racing pits.
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The 33-year-old holds the trophy with her crew after winning the pole award for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 in February 2013, again making her the first woman to do so.
The 33-year-old holds the trophy with her crew after winning the pole award for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 in February 2013, again making her the first woman to do so.
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Despite once being tipped by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to join the sport, Patrick says she has no intention of switching anytime soon. "I'm getting too old to change careers again and again, and I don't really have a desire to do anything different than what I'm doing right now," she said.
Despite once being tipped by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to join the sport, Patrick says she has no intention of switching anytime soon. "I'm getting too old to change careers again and again, and I don't really have a desire to do anything different than what I'm doing right now," she said.
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Patrick is dating fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and they have been dubbed "NASCAR's Power Couple."
Patrick is dating fellow NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and they have been dubbed "NASCAR's Power Couple."
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Driving the No. 10 car, Patrick races against Denny Hamlin in the Daytona 500 Series. She has faced some fierce criticism in her career. Seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty said in 2014 that Patrick would only win a NASCAR race "if everybody else stayed home."
Driving the No. 10 car, Patrick races against Denny Hamlin in the Daytona 500 Series. She has faced some fierce criticism in her career. Seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty said in 2014 that Patrick would only win a NASCAR race "if everybody else stayed home."
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Patrick high-fives the hands of adoring fans during driver introductions prior to the start of the Daytona 500 and says the criticism has helped her develop a thick skin. "A lot of people say really mean things and I can't say nothing fazes me whatsoever but, more than anything, I feel sorry for them."
Patrick high-fives the hands of adoring fans during driver introductions prior to the start of the Daytona 500 and says the criticism has helped her develop a thick skin. "A lot of people say really mean things and I can't say nothing fazes me whatsoever but, more than anything, I feel sorry for them."
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