Born Danica Sue Patrick on March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Patrick began racing go-karts with her sister at age 10 and dropped out of high school to advance her racing career in England. It was there that she finished second at the Formula Ford Festival, the highest-ever finish by either a woman or an American in the event. In 2002, Patrick signed with Rahal- Letterman Racing, which is co-owned by former driver Bobby Rahal and talk show host David Letterman. During the next two years, Patrick achieved moderate success and was a consistent finisher on the podium, but never won a race.

In 2005, Patrick became the fourth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500. Her fourth place finish was the highest ever for a female driver, besting the previous record of ninth set by Janet Guthrie in 1978. She led 19 laps of the race, becoming the first woman ever to lead the Indy 500. Later that year at Kansas Speedway, she won her first pole position to become the second woman to accomplish this feat in the IRL (Indy Racing League) IndyCar Series. Patrick was named Rookie of The Year at the 2005 IRL Championship.



Patrick’s 2006 year began tragically when teammate Paul Dana was killed in a crash the morning of the Toyota Indy 300. Patrick had solid top ten finishes throughout her IRL campaign that year, coming in 9th place in the standings. Among many honors, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the United States Sports Academy.


Her status as a female race car driver, combined with her youth and good looks, has netted Patrick numerous media opportunities. She’s served as a host on Spike TV, been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and has appeared in commercials and music videos. In 2006, she published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line. Patrick married physical therapist Paul Edward Hospenthal in 2005.

Patrick won at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300 on April 20, 2008, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race, joining the ranks of drag racer Shirley Muldowney, who won three NHRA Top Fuel Championships as a "first female" winner in the top tier of American motorsports. Patrick took the Indy Japan 300 after the race leaders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps. She finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of the Brazilian pole-sitter Helio Castroneves on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Twin Ring Motegi oval.

FAMILY: Parents: TJ & Bev Patrick
Sister: Brooke

BIRTHPLACE: Beloit, WI

RESIDENCE: Phoenix, Arizona

RACING GOALS: To become an open-wheel champion

MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Finishing second in the Formula Ford Festival in England

RACING HEROES: No heroes, just role models. So far, my Dad, Lyn St. James, Bobby Rahal and Jacques Villeneuve.

IF NOT RACING: Not sure because I’ve never had to think about it.

PHILOSOPHY: Life is what you make of it.



BEST ADVICE: You are the only one who can make yourself at the end of the day so at least strive for that.

ADMIRES IN OTHERS: The ability to attack a job right away. I tend to procrastinate.

GREATEST INFLUENCE: My parents by setting the standard that they have.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION: Running, weight training and yoga.

MENTAL PREPARATION: I spend time visualizing myself making laps of the track.

HOBBIES: Working out, traveling, nice dinners and laughing.

FAVORITE CLOTHES: Guys briefs and a long sleeve t-shirt.

FAVORITE MUSIC: Anything but country and classical.

FAVORITE CD: Jagged Little Pill — Alanis Morissette

PERSONAL VEHICLE: Mercedes Benz 230


FAVORITE CAR: Ferrari 360

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Sex in the City, anything on the Food Network and The Late Show with David Letterman.

TV SHOW THAT I HATE: Anything western or in black & white.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Tommy Boy and Dumb & Dumber

FAVORITE ACTORS: Adam Sandler and Vin Deisel

FAVORITE ACTRESSES: Nicole Kidman

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything healthy especially fish, veggies and fruit.

PERSONAL COOKING SPECIALTY: Fish

FAVORITE DRINK: H20

BEST DAY OF THE YEAR: First day of summer

WORST DAY OF THE YEAR: Valentines Day because Mom is the only that remembers me on Valentines Day.

WEAKNESS: Procrastination


GREATEST AGGRAVATION: When people ask me about racing trying to be social. Only ask if you really want to know something.

Danica Patrick is married and lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

She has a pet miniature schnauzer named William Robert, "Billy" for short

Likes to shop in her spare time. Best Buy, Arden B and BCBG are among her favorite stores.

Loves to workout and she religiously watches Regis and Kelly.

An avid fan of music. Likes everything except country and classical.

Favorite singer is Alanis Morissette. Also lists Norah Jones, Queen and Nelly among her favorites

Once an aspiring musician, Danica played the flute and sang in the choir in high school.



She is a frequent movie watcher who prefers comedies, especially those with Adam Sandler, Jim Carey and Chris Farley.

Her favorite movies include Happy Gilmore, Dumb and Dumber and Tommy Boy.

Her favorite actresses are Julia Stiles, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman

She loves to roller blade and believes in a variety of activities to work out.

She combines running (3-5 miles) and weight training with what she calls ’extreme yoga.’

Her 90-minute yoga sessions are conducted in a 100-degree room with a circuit of 26 poses repeated twice.

Growing up in Roscoe, IL, a suburb of Rockford, she played volleyball and basketball but she dropped those sports in favor of cheerleading upon reaching high school.

She also admits to being addicted to reality shows and her favorites include The Bachelor, American Idol, The Real World, Joe Millionaire and of course Survivor.

She was destined to be a racer as her mom (Bev) and dad (TJ) met on a blind date a snowmobile race.
Her younger sister Brooke was the first to express and interest in karting, and Danica decided to give it a shot since karting seemed like an ideal way to spend time with her family. When Brooke abandon the sport after a few months it was Danica that was hooked and the rest has been history.

Poker Face - Lady Gaga