Danica Patrick is a former professional American racing driver. Born to humble beginnings, Patrick began racing to go-karts aged 10 and achieved early success. She dropped out of school and participated in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford in Europe before returning to the United States due to a lack of funding. Patrick started competing in the IndyCar Series for Rahal Letterman Racing in 2005.
Patrick earned the Rookie of the Year award in 2005. She switched to Andretti Green Racing in 2007 and won the 2008 Indy Japan 300 at Motegi. This marked Motorsports history as she is the first and only woman to win an IndyCar series race. She finished 3rd at the 2009 Indy 500, the best result by any woman in the iconic open-wheel event. Patrick left the IndyCar Series at the end of 2011 to focus on stock car racing. She started competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2010 and became only the second woman in history to clinch the pole in the nationwide series.
2012 saw her move up to the NASCAR Cup Series. Patrick became the first woman to win pole position in a Cup Series race when she set the fastest lap in qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. She retired from racing at the end of 2018 and has since become an entrepreneur, owning a vineyard. She also has a successful scented candle sales business.
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Danica Patrick’s Net Worth
Patrick is believed to have amassed a Net Worth of over $80 Million through her 20-year-long professional racing career. Reportedly, Patrick earned a staggering $10 Million annually while she was racing full-time in the Cup Series. She was estimated to have a base salary of $7.5 Million, with the rest coming from her numerous sponsors and endorsement deals.
Danica Patrick’s Wins and Achievements
Patrick won the 2008 Japan Indy 300 at Motegi, which is the only win in her senior career. She scored one pole position in the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series. Patrick won the 2005 Rookie of the Year award in IndyCar, she is the only woman to have scored a pole position in the Cup Series and holds the all-time record for the highest finish by a woman in the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.
