Danica Patrick may not have filled her NASCAR Stats with checkered flags, but her contribution to the sport goes far beyond wins and losses. Her time on the track redefined what’s possible for women in motorsports and sparked a cultural shift that still echoes today.
Who Is Danica Patrick?
Before diving into the stats, it’s important to understand who Danica Patrick is and why her NASCAR journey matters. Born in Wisconsin in 1982, she first made international headlines in IndyCar, where she became the first woman to win a race in the series. Her switch to NASCAR in 2010 was highly anticipated and widely covered, marking a significant moment for diversity in motorsports.
Quick Overview: Career Highlights (Table Format)
| Category | NASCAR Cup Series | NASCAR Xfinity Series |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 191 | 61 |
| Wins | 0 | 0 |
| Top 10 Finishes | 7 | 7 |
| Pole Positions | 1 | 1 |
| Best Points Finish | 24th (2015) | 10th (2012) |
| Years Active | 2012–2018 | 2010–2014 |
The Daytona 500: Where Danica Made History
In 2013, Danica Patrick made headlines by becoming the first woman in history to earn the pole position for the Daytona 500. That moment wasn’t just symbolic—it was a performance highlight backed by speed and skill. She led several laps and ultimately finished 8th, which remains the highest finish by a woman in Daytona 500 history.
Milestones That Defined Her Career (Bulleted List)
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First female driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series pole
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Most starts by a woman in NASCAR Cup history (191)
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The only woman to lead laps in both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500
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Top-10 finish in Xfinity Series season standings (2012)
Danica Patrick – NASCAR Cup Series Performance by Year
| Year | Team | Car No. | Starts | Top 10 Finishes | Pole Positions | Points Position | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Stewart-Haas Racing (Part-Time) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 17th (Phoenix) |
| 2013 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 10 | 36 | 1 | 1 (Daytona 500) | 27th | 8th (Daytona) |
| 2014 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 10 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 28th | 6th (Atlanta) |
| 2015 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 10 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 24th (Career Best) | 7th (Martinsville) |
| 2016 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 10 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 24th | 11th (Charlotte) |
| 2017 | Stewart-Haas Racing | 10 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 28th | 10th (Dover) |
| 2018 | Premium Motorsports (Daytona 500 only) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 35th (Crashed) |
Racing Style and Media Attention
Danica Patrick’s presence on the NASCAR track was never quiet, both in terms of her driving and the spotlight she carried.
Racing Style: Grit Over Flash
Danica was known for her aggressive, determined driving style. She didn’t shy away from door-to-door battles or mixing it up with seasoned veterans. While her results didn’t always land her near the front of the field, she was often running mid-pack in cars that weren’t the most competitive on the grid. Many drivers praised her car control and racecraft, especially on superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, where she often ran up front and led laps.
However, she also faced criticism for inconsistent finishes and frequent wrecks, some of which were not entirely her fault. Still, she approached racing with a calculated edge — not overly reckless, but always unafraid to assert herself on the track.
I’ve never been interested in being the token female. I wanted to earn my place,” she once said — and that philosophy reflected in how she drove.
Media Magnet and Marketing Powerhouse
What truly set Danica apart — and sometimes stirred debate — was her unprecedented media appeal. She wasn’t just a race car driver; she was a household name. From Super Bowl commercials with GoDaddy to hosting award shows and appearing on mainstream talk shows, Danica became one of the most visible athletes in American sports.
This brought both admiration and scrutiny. Critics argued she received more attention than her results warranted, but supporters countered that she was attracting new fans to the sport and generating interest far beyond the core NASCAR audience.
She also handled the media pressure with professionalism. Whether she was asked about gender equality, performance critiques, or sponsorship drama, Danica never backed away from difficult questions.
A Brand Bigger Than the Car
Danica’s brand extended far beyond the garage. She leveraged her fame into fitness ventures, a clothing line, a podcast, and a wine label — all while remaining one of the most recognized faces in racing.
Bottom line?
While her racing stats didn’t always turn heads, her influence and visibility transformed how NASCAR was perceived, particularly by new and younger fans. She raced hard, stood tall in the spotlight, and became one of the most talked-about drivers of her era.
Legacy: More Than the Finish Line
Some critics focus on the zeros in her win column. But Danica’s influence has always been about breaking boundaries, not just breaking the draft. Young girls now grow up seeing a woman compete at the highest level of stock car racing—and that in itself is a win.
Danica Patrick in Perspective: How Her Stats Compare
To fully understand Danica Patrick’s impact, it helps to compare her performance against other notable female drivers in NASCAR’s top-level series.
| Driver | Cup Series Starts | Cup Wins | Top 10 Finishes | Poles | Best Points Finish | Best Daytona 500 Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danica Patrick | 191 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 24th (2015) | 8th (2013) |
| Janet Guthrie | 33 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 23rd (1977) | 11th (1980) |
| Shawna Robinson | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 24th (2002) |
| Hailie Deegan* | 2 (as of 2024) | 0 | 0 | 0 | Too early to rank | 30th (Debut) |
Note: Hailie Deegan is an active driver and still early in her Cup Series journey.
This shows that Danica didn’t just participate—she competed more than any other woman in NASCAR history and posted some of the best finishes ever by a female driver.
Conclusion:
In the end, Danica Patrick NASCAR stats may not land her in the Hall of Fame purely for performance, but her impact will be felt for decades. She carved out a lane where none existed and drove it with confidence, opening the door for future generations of women in racing.
Danica Patrick NASCAR Stats – FAQs
Q1: How many NASCAR Cup Series races did Danica Patrick compete in?
A: Danica Patrick competed in 191 NASCAR Cup Series races from 2012 to 2018.
Q2: Did Danica Patrick ever win a NASCAR race?
A: No, she did not win a NASCAR Cup or Xfinity Series race, but she did earn a pole position at the 2013 Daytona 500.
Q3: What is Danica Patrick’s best finish in a NASCAR race?
A: Her best Cup Series finish was 6th place at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2014.
Q4: How many top-10 finishes does Danica Patrick have in the Cup Series?
A: She recorded 7 top-10 finishes in her Cup Series career.
Q5: What made Danica Patrick’s NASCAR career historic?
A: She was the first woman to win a Cup Series pole, led laps in both the Daytona 500 and Indy 500, and holds the record for most Cup starts by a female driver.
Q6: What teams did Danica Patrick race for in NASCAR?
A: Primarily Stewart-Haas Racing, and briefly Premium Motorsports for her final race.
