7 Danica Patrick
Career Highlights
- 2011: Finished fourth, NASCAR national series record for highest result by a female, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in NASCAR Nationwide Series.
- 2010: Made much-anticipated debut in NASCAR Nationwide Series at Daytona in season-opener.
- 2008: First female to win a major closed-course motorsports race, IndyCar Series at Motegi, Japan.
- Highest-qualifying (fourth, 2005) and finishing (third, 2009) female in Indianapolis 500 history.
- Only female to lead laps in the Indianapolis 500.
| Career Totals (1975 - present) | |||||||
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| Starts | Championships | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | Winnings |
| 35 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 20.9 | 22.3 | 904,504 |
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| Year | Rank | Points | Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 233 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16.5 | 20.8 | 252,969 |
| 2011 | 26 | 321 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 18.1 | 17.4 | 320,716 |
| 2010 | 43 | 1032 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26.9 | 28.0 | 330,819 |
Danica Patrick Bio
YEAR-BY-YEAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECAP
2011: Finished 26th in series points. Made 12 starts for JR Motorsports, working around her full-time IndyCar Series schedule. Best starts were fourth and seventh, both at Daytona. Best finish was a NASCAR national series record fourth (for a female) at Las Vegas, one of three top-10 finishes. Completed 96.7 percent of laps attempted. Average Driver Rating 77.2.
2010: Finished 43rd in series points. ... Made series debut for JR Motorsports in season-opener at Daytona, starting 15th and finishing 35th. Best start and finish of season at Homestead-Miami, fifth and 19th, respectively. Led first laps of her NASCAR career, also Homestead. Completed 87 percent of laps attempted.
PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY
In 2011 finished 10th for second consecutive season in the IndyCar Series with nine top-10 finishes. In 2010, prior to her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut one day later, made stock car race debut in the ARCA event at Daytona, qualifying 12th and finishing sixth. Also made one NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start in 2012, starting 13th and finishing sixth in that series' season finale at Dover. In 2002, was discovered by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner and three-time CART champion Bobby Rahal after winning pro division of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the Champ Car Long Beach Grand Prix. Signed with Team Rahal for 2003 Toyota Atlantic Series. Made IndyCar Series debut with Rahal Letterman Racing in 2005. ... Started fourth and finished fourth at the 2005 Indianapolis 500, best for her gender at the time; led 19 laps, becoming the first woman to do so in open-wheel racing's greatest event. Finished career-best third at 2009 Indianapolis 500 to reset the gender record. Joined Andretti Green Racing in 2007. Won 2008 IndyCar event at Twin Ring Motegi to become first woman to win a major closed-course auto race. In 2004, driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, became first female to win a Toyota Atlantic pole (Portland) and lead the standings. In 2003, driving for Team Rahal, became the first female to produce a podium finish in Toyota Atlantic. Won several national and regional World Karting Association titles before leaving home at age 16 to compete in various open-wheel series in England from 1998-200, including second-place finish in 2000 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch.
NOTEWORTHY
Returns to JR Motorsports for first full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series season, in 2012 Scheduled to make NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in Daytona 500 to kickoff limited schedule for Stewart-Haas Racing. In 2002, participated in a NASCAR Nationwide Series test with ppc Racing and Ford Racing Technology in June at Greenville, S.C., under the guidance of crew chiefs Steve Addington and Harold Holly, with input from driver Jason Keller. Lists leading the 2005 Indianapolis 500 as her most memorable moment. Has appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and several other fashion magazines. One of the most recognizable persons in sports, she is a frequent spokesperson in television and print advertising. Married to Paul Hospenthal, a physical therapist and sports trainer. Big Chicago Bears fan. Active on Twitter: @DanicaPatrick and @DanicaRacing.
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