Danica Patrick Gets Voted "Most Disliked" Driver in IndyCar History and Racing Fans Are Not Holding Back

Nearly a decade away from professional racing, and Danica Patrick still can't catch a break with the fanbase. A new poll from IndyCar's official Reddit page just dropped the hammer: Patrick has been named the most detested driver in the sport's history. Yeah, you read that right. The internet has spoken, and it's not pretty.

The Ranking That Says Everything

The Reddit alignment chart asked fans to sort legendary NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, and MotoGP drivers into categories. The options were "most beloved," "most liked," "controversial," "most disliked," and "most despised." Patrick landed in one of the harshest slots available across both major American racing series. For context, Dale Earnhardt Sr. earned "most beloved" honors in the NASCAR version while Jeff Gordon landed in the "most liked" category. Patrick? Most disliked.

The Internet Has Thoughts

The Reddit thread didn't hold back. One fan joked: "Please make sure that Danica is in the F1 category as well and the miscellaneous while we are at it." Another simply wrote: "Danica Patrick. Duh."

Some defenders tried blaming "recentism" for the harsh ranking, pointing to Patrick's more visible political activity in recent months. She announced on social media that she voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, stating she previously felt she couldn't complain about the country if she didn't participate.

But the criticism went deeper. One fan acknowledged her racing ability while taking aim at her personality: "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."

A Complicated Legacy

Patrick's relationship with racing fans has been contentious for years. She started her career in IndyCar where she achieved significant success before making a historic move to NASCAR's Cup Series. She competed in major events like the Daytona 500 before retiring in 2018.

Her NASCAR era was polarizing from the start, marked by immense popularity among casual fans and skepticism from hardcore enthusiasts. Both fans and fellow drivers frequently criticized her. Fast forward to now, nearly ten years out of the sport, and the reaction to Patrick remains unchanged. The internet doesn't forget, and neither do the fans.

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