Danica Patrick Divorce: NASCAR Driver Makes Divorce Announcement on Facebook (Photo, Video)
Danica Patrick has announced her divorce from her husband of seven years on social media network Facebook on Tuesday.
The famous NASCAR driver made the unusual step of updating her fans of the divorce on the Internet, but said that it was an "amicable" split.
Patrick had been married since 2005 to physical therapist Paul Hospenthal, 47. The 30 year old NASCAR driver was being treated at the time for a non-racing injury.
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However, their seven year married is apparently at an end and Patrick announced on Facebook: "I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage."
She added, "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."
The posting was quickly "Liked" by thousands of people as people looked to share the news with their friends.
Patrick has only just completed her first full season in NASCAR, and set records for becoming the highest finishing female driver in the history of NASCAR's three national series. She finished the season in 10th place.
The popular driver is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, and is the only woman to win the IndyCar Series and holds the highest finish (third place) by a woman at the Indianapolis 500. She competed in the IndyCar series from 2005 to 2011.
Patrick began go-karting in 1992 at the age of just 10 at the Sugar River Raceway in Brodhead, Wisconsin. As a teenager she moved to Milton Keynes, England, to advance her racing career, racing in British national series events against drivers including future Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button.
