Danica Patrick‘s racing retirement and post-career ventures have drawn attention, as the former motorsports star reflects on a surprising end to her time in NASCAR and IndyCar while charting a new course in business and media. Patrick, who made history throughout her career, stepped away from full-time racing in 2017 and has since embarked on diverse entrepreneurial and broadcasting roles.
A Storied Racing Career Ends Unpredictably
Danica Patrick rose to prominence through her memorable performances in both the NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar. Her 2008 win at the Indy Japan 300 marked a significant achievement, adding to her reputation as a pioneer in motorsports. Patrick’s NASCAR tenure included an impressive streak from 2013 to 2017. During that period, she became the first woman to secure the pole position at the 2013 Daytona 500 and later achieved her highest Cup finish, placing fourth in the 2017 Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona. She also reached her first top-10 finish in 77 races by finishing tenth at Dover in her final full-time season.
Patrick’s final year racing full-time, 2017, was marked by difficulties on the track. Despite notable highlights, she endured an average finishing position of 23.8, registered eleven DNFs (did not finish), and secured only one top-10 finish, ending the year 28th in the overall standings. When Patrick lost backing from her longtime sponsor, GoDaddy, her partnership with Stewart‑Haas Racing ended, ultimately prompting her decision to step away from competitive racing.
“This isn’t how I envisioned the end of my career playing out. I didn’t plan any of this. It actually began with a pretty big jolt when I lost my sponsor last fall. That was really hard. My passion for racing has never wavered. I don’t think it ever will,” mentioned Danica Patrick.
Although Patrick had retired, she returned for two final starts in 2018, competing in both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. However, in each race, events took an unfortunate turn. At Daytona, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for Premium Motorsports, she was involved in a multi-car accident and finished 35th. In her last professional race at the Indy 500 with Ed Carpenter Racing, a crash ended her run early.
Pursuing Entrepreneurial Passions Beyond Racing
Transitioning away from racing, Danica Patrick engaged her interests by establishing several business ventures. She founded Somnium, a wine label rooted in Northern California, introduced a home fragrance brand, Voyant, and created Warrior, a clothing line. These initiatives reflect her evolving passions and willingness to redefine her career after racing.
Patrick has spoken about how her personal interests inspired her to explore new fields and opportunities beyond motorsports.
“I’ve always been interested in other things… I love to travel, cook, work out and experience nature… I’ve recently started leaning into these passions more and more, and I’ve even been inspired by them to start different companies,” Danica Patrick wrote.
Broadcasting and Analysis in the Sporting World
Beyond her entrepreneurial work, Patrick has established herself in media as the host of the “Pretty Intense” podcast and as a familiar face in motorsports broadcasting. She provides race analysis for Formula 1 events with Sky Sports and has returned to the IndyCar Series as a broadcast analyst for Fox Sports, collaborating with figures such as Tony Stewart and Chris Myers to cover major events like this year’s Indy 500.
The Continuing Influence of Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick continues to shape her legacy well beyond her racing days, driven by her passion for new ventures and her ongoing roles in sports media. From founding brands like Somnium and Warrior to offering expert commentary alongside racing icons including Tony Stewart and Chris Myers, Patrick demonstrates adaptability and an enduring connection to motorsports and beyond. Her post-retirement journey illustrates how athletes can influence their industries long after stepping away from competition.
