Danica Patrick opened up about her deeply personal response to stepping away from racing, sharing her “emotional” side when discussing her NASCAR retirement ahead of the 2017 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Her candid remarks highlight the gravity of the decision, placing the Danica Patrick NASCAR retirement emotional reaction in sharp focus for fans and the motorsports world alike.
Danica Patrick’s Last Full-Time NASCAR Season and Its Emotional Toll
Before her final race as a full-time competitor, Patrick was the driver of the #10 Stewart-Haas Racing car. The 2017 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway marked a turning point, as her seat eventually passed to Aric Almirola and later Noah Gragson during the team‘s final run in 2024. Reflecting on the moment, Patrick did not shy away from describing the complexity and intensity of her feelings.
During an interview reported by USA Today, Patrick acknowledged her reputation for toughness, but exposed the vulnerability beneath her composed surface as she faced the end of her full-time NASCAR journey.
“I’m an emotional person, shockingly,” Patrick said.—Danica Patrick, Former NASCAR Driver
“Have you ever said the things you don’t ever want to say out loud? Things that are sad? It’s hard to say things out loud. Period. I was just emotional. You see me as really (expletive) tough. You see me with my ‘tough’ face on. I’m not talking about emotional (expletive). The only emotional (expletive) that you see me talking about, makes me mad. Here I am with a different emotion, and I’m showing you that,”
she added.—Danica Patrick, Former NASCAR Driver
Final NASCAR Races and Notable Career Moments
Danica Patrick’s last race as a contracted full-time NASCAR driver ended with disappointment after she crashed during the Homestead event, resulting in a DNF when Kasey Kahne made contact on lap 142. Her farewell appearance as a NASCAR driver came with a Daytona 500 entry the following year, but her hopes were dashed by another DNF after being caught in a multi-car incident.
Despite such setbacks, Patrick remains a standout figure in NASCAR history. Over five full-time Cup seasons, she collected seven top-10 finishes. Most notably, she earned the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to hold that honor, cementing her place in the record books.
Staying True to Herself Amidst Fame and Challenges
Off the track, Patrick has spoken about achievements beyond podiums and checkered flags. In a 2020 interview with Bryan Elliott on Behind the Brand, she pointed to her unwavering sense of identity as her single greatest accomplishment—emphasizing the personal over the purely professional.
“That I have stayed me […] I’m still in contact with people I went to high school with, and so I would imagine because I’ve heard it from that they could tell you like, ‘yeah, she’s just the same as she used to be.”
[44:45]—Danica Patrick, Former NASCAR Driver
“I think that just not letting money or pride or fame or any of that crap that you know can kind of twist things, change me,”
she added. [45:14]—Danica Patrick, Former NASCAR Driver
Legacy Beyond NASCAR and a Continued Role in Racing
Following her NASCAR retirement, Danica Patrick extended her career in motorsport media as a presenter for Sky Sports, focusing on Formula 1 coverage, especially during American race weekends. Her racing journey extends beyond stock cars, with a trailblazing victory in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, making her the first woman to win an IndyCar event. Patrick has also engaged new audiences through appearances in Netflix’s “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” docuseries, further sharing her perspective and expertise on racing’s global stage.
Patrick’s impact as both a driver and influencer remains significant. Her admission of emotional struggles around her NASCAR retirement gives fans insight into the pressures athletes face at the peak of their careers. As she forges ahead in broadcasting and continues to inspire the next generation, her story underscores the lasting importance of authenticity in the world of professional sports.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Danica Patrick’s diagnosis?
A. In a recent Instagram story, well-known NASCAR driver Danica Patrick shared her experiences with breast implant illness. She only received this diagnosis after undergoing numerous tests. Besides irregular menstrual cycles and weight gain, tests also revealed heavy metal toxicity, leaky gut, and thyroid problems.
