Nearly a Decade Later, Racing Fans Just Named Danica Patrick the Most Despised Driver in IndyCar History

Danica Patrick retired from professional racing almost ten years ago, but the internet made sure everyone knows exactly how fans still feel about her. A new poll conducted by IndyCar's official Reddit page has delivered a verdict that is impossible to ignore: Patrick has been named the most detested driver in the history of the sport.

This isn't some random Twitter fight. The fan-created Reddit ranking project features an alignment chart that asks fans to sort legendary NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, and MotoGP figures into categories. Patrick didn't just land in a bad spot. She carried one of the harshest repeated distinctions across both major American racing series.

The Categories Tell the Story

The Reddit chart breaks drivers into five categories: "most beloved," "most liked," "controversial," "most disliked," and "most despised." In the NASCAR version of the chart, Dale Earnhardt Sr. earned "most beloved" honors while Jeff Gordon landed in the "most liked" category. Patrick? She was voted "most disliked."

For context on how brutal this is, consider who else was in the conversation. Patrick shared the spotlight with legends and icons, and came out on the wrong side of every comparison.

Fans Had Plenty to Say

The Reddit comments reveal why this verdict hit so hard. One fan wrote, "Danica Patrick. Duh." Another offered more detailed criticism: "Danica could drive. In her rookie year she corrected a 'wiggle' in Indy turn one than crashed out many. She was, apparently, a difficult personality. Her lack of education shows through in her post-driving on-camera days."

Some fans tried to explain the animosity through "recentism," noting that Patrick has been more political in recent months. She announced on social media that she voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Patrick stated she previously felt she couldn't complain about the country if she didn't participate in voting.

Others weren't interested in nuance. One commenter joked, "Please make sure that Danica is in the F1 category as well 😂 and the miscellaneous while we are at it."

A Complicated Legacy

Patrick's relationship with racing fans has always been complicated. She started her career in IndyCar, where she achieved significant success on the sport's highest level. Then came the historic move to NASCAR's Cup Series, where she competed in major events like the Daytona 500 before retiring in 2018.

Even during her racing days, her relationship with NASCAR fans was highly polarizing. She maintained immense popularity among casual fans while facing skepticism from hardcore enthusiasts. Fans and fellow drivers frequently criticized her then, and the tension never really went away.

Almost ten years out of racing professionally, the Reddit poll proves the reaction to Danica Patrick remains the same. Some things, it seems, don't fade with time.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.