Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Test Romance on the Racetrack
Danica Patrick and her boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr. encountered a challenge unlike any other couple in the world when racing against one another on Sunday.
Both NASCAR drivers, the couple were competing at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 when Stenhouse's car collided with Patrick's.
The run-in happened during Lap 319 and ended Patrick's night on the track; the 31-year-old finished in 39th place while her boyfriend finished in 14th.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Sunday was not the first time Patrick and Stenhouse have collided on the track. Back in July, Patrick apologized for knocking her boyfriend off the track in New Hampshire.
Nevertheless, Patrick has explained that crashes are inevitable and that she has been working with her boyfriend for years.
"We've been racing against each other as long as we've known each other," she said back in February, according to the Los Angeles Times. "So, you know, there are times you're out there on the track, you don't even see each other, you're not even next to each other. Every time we have been, it's about respect and neither of us put up a big fight."
Furthermore, Patrick admitted that Stenhouse has been faster than her and that they avoid a "huge battle."
"So far it's been pretty obvious who is faster than who whenever someone comes up behind the other," she said. "For the most part, it's been him faster than me, I would say. The few times it's happened to me, he doesn't put up a fight. And I don't see that any different. I don't see us putting up a huge battle."
Meanwhile, Patrick's divorce from physical therapist Paul Hospenthal was finalized earlier this year, and the race car driver announced her relationship with Stenhouse shortly thereafter.
More recently, Patrick discussed her personal life including her desire to remarry in an interview with the Associated Press.
When asked if she was pregnant or engaged, the driver said, "No. I can promise you not. The other one? I don't know. I'm the girl. It could be never, it could be tomorrow."
Then, saying she would "absolutely love" to marry again, Patrick admitted uncertainty.
"But if I'm getting married is not a question I know the answer to," she said. "Should we go get Ricky and you can ask him yourself?"
