Danica Patrick has made both national and international success in her car racing career and beyond, so it’s no surprise to be wondering how and when the former NASCAR star began her journey to prominence.
Danica Patrick started racing after her parents bought her a go-kart in her hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1992.
Read further to learn about Danica’s early life and racing beginnings, and what she’s been busy with after her retirement from pro racing.
How old is Danica Patrick?
Danica Patrick turned 40 in 2022. Born on the 25th of March 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin to Terry Joseph Patrick and Beverly Anne Patrick, Danica grew up in Roscoe, Illinois. She has a younger sister named Brooke Patrick who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist by profession.
She attended Hononegah Community High School where she was a cheerleader. But after a while, she dropped out of high school (with both her parents’ consent), got her GED, and then moved to England to pursue her racing career.
How old was Danica Patrick when she started racing?
Danica initially had no aspiration of becoming a race car driver. She thought of becoming a secretary, singer, or veterinarian until one of her sister’s friends allowed them to ride her go-kart. They seemed to enjoy the activity so much that after the ride, the sisters told their parents of their wish to race go-kart. According to her bio on her website, Danica got her first taste of racing at 10 years old, winning titles locally.
At 16 years old, Danica felt confident enough to start competing in Europe. She spent three years in the U.K. Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before returning to the United States in 2001 due to a lack of funding.
In 2013, she switched to NASCAR Cup Series and did not fail to impress the world before retiring in 2018.
Athletic Accolades Received
Through the years, Danica gained impressive titles thanks to her successful career as a professional female driver.
In 2008 and 2010, she ranked 50th and 88th on the list of most powerful people in the world of sports. In 2007, she ranked second favorite female athlete, with Serena Williams holding the top spot. In 2008, she was number one.
In 2009 and 2010, Danica was named a candidate for Time magazine’s World’s 100 Most Influential list.
Criticism
Danica also faced a lot of criticism during her racing career.
Danica Patrick was often compared to tennis player Anna Kournikova, with critics claiming they both have no real athletic specialty and are only famous due to their looks. In a 2009 Sports Illustrated article, the author suspected that her move toward the NASCAR nationwide series the following year might be a publicity stunt.
In 2008, Danica Patrick was condemned for her body weight, claiming it to be her only advantage. Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty described Danica as a Marketing Machine, and even his father criticized her for not winning races during the Eighth Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo in February 2014.
