Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on March 25, 1982, Danica Patrick grew up in a loving household with parents T.J. and Bev and sister Brooke. Danica Patrick's need for speed was not obvious from the get-go as, like many young girls, she loved to play with Barbie dolls as a child.
At the age of 10, however, Danica
Patrick got a glimpse into a world she would come to love. She accompanied her sibling on a trip to a go-karting lesson and quickly fell in love with sitting behind the wheel of a speedy vehicle. While sister Brooke soon abandoned racing, Danica Patrick was hooked, and she soon joined the World Karting Association (WKA).
At the age of 10, however, Danica
Patrick got a glimpse into a world she would come to love. She accompanied her sibling on a trip to a go-karting lesson and quickly fell in love with sitting behind the wheel of a speedy vehicle. While sister Brooke soon abandoned racing, Danica Patrick was hooked, and she soon joined the World Karting Association (WKA).
danica patrick is a karting champion
Within two years' time, Danica Patrick had become a racing fiend, and in 1994 she captured the WKA Grand National Championship in the Yamaha Sportsman class. She won additional karting titles in 1995 and 1996, and soon had established herself as a rising star. Her final season in the WKA came in 1997, and she went out with a bang, winning the Grand National Championship in both the Yamaha Lite and HPV classes.
danica patrick joins formula vauxhall
The next step in Danica Patrick's career was a big one. She upgraded her competition and joined the Formula Vauxhall Winter Series, moving to England in order to do so. Over the course of 1998, Danica Patrick kept up only an abbreviated racing schedule in the UK, because she was al so spending time fine-tuning her technique at the Formula Ford racing school in Canada.
Therefore, it was in 1999 that Danica Patrick made her true British racing debut. She finished her first full season in ninth place, then showed vast improvement by finishing second the next year at the Formula Ford Festival, the best-ever finish by an American at the British event.
In 2001, her last year in England, Danica Patrick made a name back home in the U.S. She won the Gorsline Scholarship Award for Top Upcoming Road Racing Driver and competed in the tough British Zetek Formula Ford Championship. On the heels of these feats, Danica Patrick was touted as the top female open-wheel driver with international experience.
Therefore, it was in 1999 that Danica Patrick made her true British racing debut. She finished her first full season in ninth place, then showed vast improvement by finishing second the next year at the Formula Ford Festival, the best-ever finish by an American at the British event.
In 2001, her last year in England, Danica Patrick made a name back home in the U.S. She won the Gorsline Scholarship Award for Top Upcoming Road Racing Driver and competed in the tough British Zetek Formula Ford Championship. On the heels of these feats, Danica Patrick was touted as the top female open-wheel driver with international experience.
danica patrick signs with rahal letterman
With a long list of accomplishments to her credit, Danica Patrick had the leverage to move up to the prestigious Indy Racing League. After trying out for many teams, she finally signed a multi-year contract with Rahal Letterman Racing (of which David Letterman is part owner) in 2002. To prep her for the heightened competitiveness of this league, she was sent to race in the Toyota Atlantic series for two years.
Settling into her new job in 2003, Danica Patrick impressed both her team and the competition. She became the first woman in Toyota series history to win a pole position and reach the podium. In 2004, she placed third in the Toyota Atlantic Championship and was ready to officially race in the IRL.
Settling into her new job in 2003, Danica Patrick impressed both her team and the competition. She became the first woman in Toyota series history to win a pole position and reach the podium. In 2004, she placed third in the Toyota Atlantic Championship and was ready to officially race in the IRL.
danica patrick in the indy 500
Danica Patrick became a third driver for Rahal Letterman Racing, making her big-time debut at the 2005 Toyota Indy 300. Though she was knocked out of the race on the 158th lap, Danica showed signs of brilliance during her rookie campaign, highlighted by an excellent running at the league's biggest race, the Indianapolis 500.
Danica Patrick was only the fourth woman to race in the Indy 500, and the hype surrounding her participation grew each day. Despite all the pressure, she led for a total of 19 laps during the famed event, before falling back in the race's waning moments and finishing fourth. Still, Danica-mania had officially arrived.
Danica Patrick was only the fourth woman to race in the Indy 500, and the hype surrounding her participation grew each day. Despite all the pressure, she led for a total of 19 laps during the famed event, before falling back in the race's waning moments and finishing fourth. Still, Danica-mania had officially arrived.
danica patrick joins andretti green racing
In July 2006, Danica Patrick announced that she'd signed a deal to race with Andretti Green Racing. For the 2007 season, she scored her first three career podium finishes to finish with four top 5s and 11 top 10s. She scored her career best championship points finish of 7th with 424 points.
She also placed on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women Of The World, placing No. 42 in 2006 and No. 85 in 2007.
In February 2008, Danica Patrick appeared in Sports Illustrated's coveted Swimsuit Issue.
She also placed on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women Of The World, placing No. 42 in 2006 and No. 85 in 2007.
In February 2008, Danica Patrick appeared in Sports Illustrated's coveted Swimsuit Issue.
danica patrick becomes first woman to win an indycar series
April 2008 was a landmark year for the sexy driver. Danica Patrick won her first race at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300, making her the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race in history. Danica Patrick took the Indy Japan 300 after the top contenders were forced to pit for fuel in the final laps.
Then, in January 2009, Danica Patrick was voted to AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women, coming in at No. 91. Danica Patrick was featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue the following month.
Then, in January 2009, Danica Patrick was voted to AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women, coming in at No. 91. Danica Patrick was featured in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue the following month.