Replies

Danica Patrick and Paul Hospenthal

When a beautiful young woman shows courage and passion for a sport like race car driving, it is natural to wonder where all this energy and talent came from. Danica Patrick, the 4th woman to ever start the Indianapolis 500, says she was prepared for the moment from the time she was born.

Here is information about how her supportive parents met, and her engagement to Paul Hospenthal.

News Updates:

5/29/05: Danica Patrick made Indianapolis 500 history today by finishing fourth and having the best finish for a woman in the history of the race.

Danica's Parents:

Danica's parents are T.J. and Bev Patrick. T.J. raced skimobiles, motocross, and midget cars. T.J. and Bev met on a blind date at a skimobile event when Bev was a mechanic for a friend's skimobile. They have owned a Java Hut and a plate glass company.

Birthdates:

Danica Sue Patrick was born March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. She grew up in Roscoe, Illinois.

Fiancé Paul Edward Hospenthal was born c. 1966.

Paul is sixteen years older than Danica.

How Danica and Paul Met:
They met in 2002 when Danica was referred to Paul when she hurt her hip during a yoga session.

They became engaged on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005. Danica's engagement ring is a 4 1/4-carat diamond ring.

Wedding Date:

Danica and Paul have set November 19, 2005 in Arizona as their wedding date. They have said that all the wedding details were finalized in January, 2005 so she could concentrate on the racing season.

Education:

Danica: She attended Hononegah Community High School and received a GED.

Paul: He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington where he was a track star in the 400 meters race. Paul also received a Fellowship in Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University.

Occupations:

Danica: Race car driver. She started karting in 1992. She is the fourth woman to start the Indianapolis 500, and on May 12, 2005, Danica's speed of 227.633 MPH was the fastest speed in practice at the Indianapolis 500. Finished second in the Formula Ford Festival.

She drives the Rahal Letterman Racing Argent Pioneer No. 16 Panoz/Honda/Firestone.

Danica also hosted "Powerblock" on Spike TV. She plays herself in the 2005 documentary "Girl Racers" which hasn't been released yet.

Paul: Physical therapist, certified strengthening and conditioning specialist, and personal trainer. Paul has trained athletes in all major sports. Paul runs the Desert Institute of Physical Therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Paul is a Contributing Writer for "GOLF MAGAZINE" and has been featured in "Sports Illustrated" magazine. He made a VHS video, "17 Pros & The Secrets To Golf Fitness."

Residence:

Paul and Danica live in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Pets:
Danica has a miniature schnauzer named William Robert who has a nickname of Billy.

Miscellaneous:
There only have been three other women to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, Sarah Fisher.

Hobbies and Interests: Danica enjoys shopping, working out, yoga, weight training, running (3-5 miles per day), watching Regis and Kelly, roller blading, barbecues, watching comedy movies, nice dinners, laughing, traveling, and listening to music but not country or classical.

Quotes:
Danica: "My father used to race snowmobiles, midgets, motorcross. My mom and dad met at a snowmobile race on a blind date and were married not that long after and had me not that long after. So, you know, this is very much a racing family."
Source: Auto Racing Daily

Bev Patrick on letting Danica move to England at 16 years of age: "If you want to be the best lawyer, you go to Harvard. If you want to be the best driver, you go to England."
Source: Auto Racing.com

Danica on having children: "It's just not really in the cards right now. When racing's over, that's the only time it would happen, but right now it's a no."
Source: USA Today

From Sheri & Bob Stritof,Your Guide to Marriage.