Watch: Danica Patrick crashes out of her farewell race
Danica Patrick has been one of the most polarizing race car drivers in recent memory.
Clearly, she’s had more success than any other woman in Indy or NASCAR history.
But, as her critics point out, she has become incredibly famous (and rich) for someone who won a grand total of one race (the 2008 Indy Japan 300).
Given her success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — her fourth-place at the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie in 2005 made her famous, and she had five more top 10 finishes there — Patrick’s decision that Sunday’s Indy 500 would be her last race seemed fitting.
Danica’s legacy was certainly the biggest story heading into the race.
Welcome back to race day, @DanicaPatrick.#Indy500 | #ThisIsMay | #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/6otCbRP9hB
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 27, 2018
Patrick was unquestionably the center of attention.
Danica Patrick's last race in a memorable career. pic.twitter.com/sfd63o9Hua
— espnW (@espnW) May 27, 2018
Perhaps it’s fitting that Patrick’s star-crossed racing career ended with a crash early in the race, specifically lap 68.
🎥 REPLAY: @DanicaPatrick has been checked, released and cleared from the infield hospital 🏥 following this incident.
📺 LIVE on ABC
📈 https://t.co/SAdeSxSfa7
📲 WatchESPN | @verizon INDYCAR Mobile#INDYCAR // #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/gD3dpHkLUd— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 27, 2018
Will Power won the race, giving him his first Indianapolis 500 win.
Indy has always provided the biggest highlights of Patrick’s career.
Danica Patrick finishes her #Indy500 career with 6 top-10 finishes in 8 starts, including the highest ever (3rd) by a female driver.
2005: 4th
2006: 8th
2007: 8th
2008: 22nd
2009: 3rd
2010: 6th
2011: 10th
2018: 30th— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 27, 2018
Whether people love Danica Patrick or hate her, there’s no questioning that her participation spiked interest in the sport.
Recently retired NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke for many teams.
I started watching @DanicaPatrick compete back when she ran in the Atlantic Championship Series. Lots of fun to follow her whole career. Everyone @JRMotorsports appreciates all she did to help grow our company. Thank you Danica.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 27, 2018
Nobody knows exactly what the future holds for Patrick, other than hosting the ESPY awards in July.
One thing that seems certain is we haven’t seen the last of her.
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