espnW

espnW: WOMEN + SPORTS SUMMITPresented by Lexus
 
  • Women's Basketball 
    • 2013 WNBA Draft 
    • 2013 NCAA Tournament 
    • 3 To See 
    • Total Access: Tennessee 
  • College Sports
  • Commentary
  • More Sports
  • Watch
    • The Word
    • espnW on ESPN3
    • More Video
  • Athlete's Life
    • espnW Blogs
    • Journeys & Victories
    • In the Game with Robin Roberts
    • espnW Summit
  • Nine For IX
    • Watch The Trailer
    • Robin Roberts on IX films
    • Title IX is Mine
    • Mosaic: Be Part of History

Danica Patrick divorcing

Nov 21, 2012 1:08 PM ETAssociated Press
  • Recommend
  • Tweet
  • Comments
  • Email
  • Print
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Danica Patrick and her husband are divorcing after seven years of marriage.

Jayski

Mark Garrow discusses Danica Patrick getting a divorce, Brad Keselowski getting criticized and Joe Gibbs trying to re-sign Kyle Busch early.

More Podcasts »

Patrick announced the split with Paul Hospenthal on her Facebook page Tuesday.

"I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided (to) amicably end our marriage," she said. "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."

Hospenthal is a physical therapist who met Patrick while treating her for a non-racing injury. The two were married in 2005, and he is 17 years older than the 30-year-old driver.

Patrick just completed her first full season in NASCAR, running the full Nationwide schedule and 10 Sprint Cup Series races after leaving IndyCar.

Earlier this month, Patrick had her best finish in nine Cup starts this season, finishing 24th at Texas and running every lap for the first time. Tony Gibson was Ryan Newman's crew chief for Stewart-Haas Racing, but is moving to Patrick's team next season. They got a head start with her final two races this season and she finished 10th in Nationwide points, becoming the highest-finishing female driver in the history of NASCAR's three national series. The previous record was held by Sara Christian, who finished 13th in 1949 in the Cup series.

More on espnW

Danica Patrick's recent split with her husband left Sarah Spain thinking about who could be next for the racing star. Story

On Monday night, Patrick won the Nationwide Series' most popular driver award, which is voted on by fans, and she remains one of the most recognizable drivers in auto racing. Patrick challenged for the Indy 500 win as a rookie, becoming the first woman to lead laps while finishing fourth. She was a career-best third in 2009.

There was speculation that her appeal with advertisers had waned, but earlier this month Go Daddy said Patrick will again appear in the website domain provider's commercials during the Super Bowl next year. Patrick and Go Daddy first teamed up when the company became an associate sponsor for her IndyCar in 2007. Go Daddy became the primary IndyCar sponsor in 2010, along with a partial NASCAR schedule, and followed her for the full Nationwide Series and limited Sprint Cup schedules this year.

Go Daddy has committed to sponsor the Cup schedule next season, when Patrick moves up to NASCAR's top level on a full-time basis.

  • Recommend
  • Tweet
  • Comments
  • Email
  • Print

Comments

Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.

W SportsNation

What summer event are you most looking forward to?

  •  
    26%
  •  
    33%
  •  
    2%
  •  
    28%
  •  
    11%

(Total votes: 1,253)

More From espnW

  • Hays: With walk-off, Michigan in fast lane

    May 25 12:14 AM ET | By Graham Hays

  • Car forces Patrick to back of Charlotte field

    May 25 5:13 PM ET | By David Newton

  • WNBA

    May 25 10:08 PM ET

  • College Sports

    McManus: UNC uses toughness to advance, will face Maryland

    May 25 1:04 PM ET | By Jane McManus

  • More Sports

    Isaacson: Serena may be one to beat at French Open

    May 25 5:07 PM ET | By Melissa Isaacson

  • About espnW
  • Press
  • Advertise on espnW.com
  • Sales Media Kit
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Corrections
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Jobs at ESPN
  • Supplier Information

2013 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.