Danica Patrick’s career in motorsports was nothing short of legendary. She broke barriers, made history, and proved that talent — not gender — determines success on the track. However, her final races in both NASCAR and IndyCar didn’t go as planned, ending in crashes. Despite this, Patrick walked away with a legacy that continues to inspire young racers.
Danica Patrick Reflects on the Tough End to Her Trailblazing Career
Patrick made her final NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2018 Daytona 500, a race she had been looking forward to as part of her farewell tour. Unfortunately, things didn’t go her way. Midway through the race, she crashed and finished 35th, ending her NASCAR career on a disappointing note. But she wasn’t done just yet.
Her true farewell came at the Indianapolis 500, the race that had defined much of her career. On her debut, she made history in IndyCar as the first woman to win IndyCar’s Rookie of the Year in 2005. She was a top-10 finisher in most of her appearances (six of eight) at the Indianapolis 500 and wanted to end her career on a high note too. However, fate had other plans.
On Lap 68, she lost control of her car coming out of Turn 2, slamming into the wall and bringing her final race to an abrupt end. Despite the unfortunate results, Patrick remained composed. She acknowledged that while she wished for a better ending, her career was still something to be proud of.
“I think all of my life I’ve kind of felt like ‘You’re only as good as your last race,'” Patrick said. “But for that to really be the reality of your entire career is really silly.”
Danica Patrick's last race ended with a crash at the Indy 500. https://t.co/zFlcoqi4hE pic.twitter.com/kUDfqHFET2
— espnW (@espnW) May 27, 2018
More Than Just a ‘Female Driver’
Throughout her career, Patrick was often referred to as a female driver, a label she found frustrating. She believed that constantly emphasizing her gender was unnecessary and took away from her achievements.
In an interview with ESPN, she said, “When I’m done racing, I hope people remember me as a great driver. And I think it starts there,” making it clear that she wanted to be recognized for her skills irrespective of her gender.
15 years ago today, Danica Patrick became the FIRST woman ever to win an IndyCar race 👏 #ThatsaW | @DanicaPatrick pic.twitter.com/5XSmy3VGnj
— espnW (@espnW) April 20, 2023
Her stance on the topic was simple: she was a racer, just like everyone else. And her achievements proved it. Patrick was the first woman to lead laps at the Indy 500, the first to win an IndyCar race, and the first to secure a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Daytona. She didn’t just compete; she made history.
Even though her career ended in crashes, Patrick’s impact on motorsports is undeniable. She inspired a new generation of racers and left behind a legacy that proves talent knows no boundaries.