Who is Danica Patrick?

Danica Patrick was born on March 25, 1982, in Beloit, Wis. She began racing go-karts with her sister at age 10 and dropped out of high school to advance her racing career in England.

Danica Patrick

In 2002, Patrick signed with Rahal- Letterman Racing, which is co-owned by former driver Bobby Rahal and talk show host David Letterman. During the next two years, Patrick achieved moderate success and was a consistent finisher on the podium, but never won a race.

In 2005, Patrick became the fourth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 -- her fourth-place finish was the highest ever for a female driver -- and she led 19 laps, becoming the first woman ever to lead the Indy 500.

Patrick joined Andretti Autosport in 2007, and the next year she won at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300 on April 20, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race.

Her status as a female race-car driver, combined with her youth and good looks, has netted Patrick numerous media opportunities. She's served as a host on Spike TV, been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and has appeared in commercials and music videos, including Jay-Z's Show Me What You Got. In 2006, she published her autobiography, Danica: Crossing the Line.

Patrick married physical therapist Paul Edward Hospenthal in 2005.