Danica Patrick
Real Name: Danica Sue Patrick
Date of Birth: 25 March 1982
Place of birth: Beloit, Wisconsin
Profession: Racecar Driver - Talk Show Co-Host - Documentary Star
Danica Patrick has proved to be one of the biggest draws to the Indy Racing Leagues, exuding not only looks and true racing chops, but also a mass appeal to both sexes due to her quest to be successful as a female racecar driver, and her sex appeal that continues to dominate the predominantly male racing fan base. Patrick started her career when she was 16, and then decided to move to England to hone her racing skills. Patrick first gained interest in the racing scene when her older sister would race go-carts on local tracks around their Wisconsin home. Danica was a very quick learner in the racing trade over in England, and the hard work she put in resulted in a second place finish in England’s 2000 Formula Ford Festival, which was the best finish ever posted by an American racer, male or female, in that event.
Danica came back to her home country and quickly ascended to the Indy Racing League, where in 2005, she was named the Indy Racing League’s Rookie of the Year. She was only the fourth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500, produced a finish of fourth in her first year, which was the best finish for any woman ever participating in the world-renowned event. Danica also set another magnificent landmark while racing in the 2005 Indy 500, when she became the first woman to ever lead the event. Danica has also made quite the name for herself on America’s talk show and television media, not only because of her success as a female driver, but also due to her racing allegiance to Late Show host, David Letterman. Letterman is part owner of Rahal-Letterman racing, which is the partnership that Danica currently drives for.
Danica has become quite the overnight sensation, and that has landed her spots on many magazine covers, including “Sports Illustrated”. Since becoming a household name, Danica has also appeared in “People Magazine’s” Most Beautiful People list, while also being ranked as one of the 100 hottest women by “FHM” magazine. Danica has appeared many times on her owner’s “Late Show”, but has also had recurring visits to “the View”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, Jim Rome’s “Rome is Burning”, and ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption. In 2005, Danica also gained herself a host position on Spike TV’s “Powerblock”, while also starring as herself in the female racing documentary, “Girl Racers.”
Interesting Facts
Patrick married Paul Hospenthal in November of 2005. Hospenthal is a physical therapist and Patrick was referred to him in 2002, after injuring her hip in a yoga accident. The couple became engaged in 2004, and at the time of the wedding in November of 2005, Danica was 23, while Paul was 40. Paul is a contributing sports writer, and has appeared more than once in “Sports Illustrated”, while having a regular contributing role in “Golf Magazine.”
