“It's usually about someone else if it’s swearing”: When Danica Patrick revealed the unfiltered truth about her race mindset

Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick once reflected on her mindset during her Cup Series career. Renowned as a trailblazer for women in motorsports, her achievements and professional journey have helped her cement her legacy as an iconic figure in NASCAR's history.

In a September 2016 interview, when Patrick was piloting the #10 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, she appeared in famed NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck's 12-question series. One if the 12 questions Patrick answered revealed her mindset during a high-stakes race. The question was (via USA Today):

"How often do you talk inside the car without hitting the radio button?"

The former NASCAR driver answered the question by saying that she did use the radio a few times, mainly for expressing her frustration in the form of swearing. However, the follow-up question inquired about who the swear words were directed at. She answered:

"Both. Sometimes I get mad at myself at mistakes, but it’s usually about someone else if it’s swearing. If I’m not swearing, I might be like, “Slow down, calm down.” Because you get to racing too hard and you’ve got to drive within the tires and remember by lap 30 that you can’t do what you did at Lap 2."

Patrick transitioned to NASCAR in 2010 following a successful IndyCar career. Competing for seven years in the Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing, she made 191 starts and achieved seven top-10 finishes. Her most notable performance came in the 2013 Daytona 500, finishing eighth.

Since retiring in 2018, Patrick has embraced new ventures, hosting the Pretty Intense podcast and providing expert commentary for motorsports events like the Indianapolis 500. Recently, she ventured into politics, voicing strong support for Donald Trump during the closing stages of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.

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“It was a very unforced process for me”: Danica Patrick spoke about her involvement with Donald Trump’s victorious Presidential campaign

After Donald Trump’s election victory, Danica Patrick appeared on The Right View with Lara Trump, who is President Trump's daughter-in-law. On the show, the former motorsports star shared her perspective on contributing to Trump’s successful campaign and reflected on being part of the historic political moment.

"That night just standing in the crowd, you know, after all the swing states kept going red, and you're like, wow, and once Pennsylvania came through, you're like, 'Oh my God, it's really happening,'" the Wisconsin native said. [00:58 onwards]

"It's been a long time since I volunteered so much time out of passion and out of a calling. I guess it's been a while since there's been a calling. And that's kind of what it was. It was a very unforced process for me that began at AmFest in the end of 2023," Danica Patrick added.

Danica Patrick was also honored as the guest moderator for Vice Presidential Nominee Senator JD Vance’s Town Hall in Greensboro, North Carolina. Additionally, she joined Donald Trump on his private jet during the final days of his 2024 campaign, further solidifying her involvement in the political process.