“Then I ask for things”: Danica Patrick shares her Christmas wishing ritual

After wrapping up a busy year in motorsport and attending to her political commitments, Danica Patrick headed back to her home in Indianapolis to celebrate Christmas with her family.

The IndyCar legend, arguably the greatest female racer in American open-wheel racing history, shared a series of heartwarming photos on Instagram, condensing the family's Xmas celebrations in one post. She wore a black and white top, red pants, and heeled black boots.

Though racing is slumbering in the winter break, Patrick channeled her inner competitor when competing against her family in some games. Patrick also revealed her Christmas wishing ritual in the post's caption. She wrote:

"A very Merry Christmas to all! • When I pray at night I start off with what I am grateful for and it always starts with family, love, friends, and dogs! Then I ask for things…. And the first thing I ask for is a healthy happy and safe family, loved ones and dogs so that we can live very very long and happy lives together!!! ❤️ • So grateful. 🙌🫶 "

The special mention for dogs was a new addition to the list that she hadn't mentioned in her 2023 Christmas post's caption, which went:

"Before I go to sleep I pray and I start off with what I am thankful for. The first thing on that list every night… is my family. I hope everyone has felt some extra love from their real family or chosen family during this holiday season. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁 ❤️ "

Danica Patrick retired from professional racing in 2018 after her final race at the 2018 Indy 500, where she crashed out in Lap 68. Her last appearance at a racing event was at the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. She covered the race with Sky Sports, her seventh and last of the season.

Danica Patrick's moving pre-Christmas tribute to her family for helping her through "hard" times

Danica Patrick hugs her father at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 - Source: Getty

Over the past few months, Danica Patrick has been making headlines for her political stance and support for US President Donald Trump. The catalyst to this journey began in 2023 when her younger sister Brooke proposed the idea of attending the TPUSA's America Fest. Though her attendance sparked outrage among fans, she continued on the journey and returned as a speaker in this year's iteration of the event.

Two days before Christmas, the ex-IndyCar and NASCAR driver highlighted the value of family in the conservative moment, dedicating a short post to her family's monumental role in her life. She shared a few photos of her and Brooke on X and wrote:

"I think one of the most important values in the conservative movement is family. Life is hard and you need people you can trust but will also hold you accountable. • I love my parents and my sister is my best friend. I am so grateful for that. She was also the one that proposed the idea of going to this event last year…. I think we started a tradition. 😊🇺🇸 • Now let’s head to Indianapolis for Christmas with the fam! 🎄🎁 "

Danica Patrick's parents were deeply involved in her racing career. Initially, her father T.J. Patrick Jr. served as her crew chief and her mother Beverly Ann kept the stats. She went on to record several firsts as IndyCar's most successful female driver ever, before switching to stock cars and racing in NASCAR.