Danica Patrick Gets the "Most Disliked" Label and Racing Fans Have Thoughts

Nearly a decade removed from professional racing, and the internet still has plenty to say about Danica Patrick. A new poll conducted on IndyCar's official Reddit page has delivered a verdict that won't sting any less for the time that's passed: Patrick has been named the most detested driver in the history of the sport.

This isn't exactly a shocking development for anyone who's followed her career arc. Patrick has always been a lightning rod in the racing community, and that hasn't changed even with her out of the cockpit for years.

The Reddit Ranking That Says It All

The fan-created Reddit project features an alignment chart that asks fans to sort legendary figures from NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, and MotoGP into specific categories. The options were straightforward: "most beloved," "most liked," "controversial," "most disliked," and "most despised."

Patrick landed in one of the harshest repeated distinctions across both major American racing series. In the NASCAR version of the chart, Dale Earnhardt Sr. earned "most beloved" honors while Jeff Gordon landed in the "most liked" category. Patrick was voted "most disliked."

One Reddit user tried to extend the ranking even further, writing "Please make sure that Danica is in the F1 category as well and the miscellaneous while we are at it," followed by a laughing emoji. The joke wasn't subtle, and it captured the sentiment perfectly.

The Reasons Behind the Rankings

Not all the criticism centered on her driving ability. One commenter noted that "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 attributed Patrick's harsh ranking to what they called "recentism," pointing out that she's been more political 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 in voting.

The responses were blunt. "Danica Patrick. Duh," one commenter simply wrote on the Reddit page when asked about the most disliked driver.

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 before making a historic move to NASCAR's Cup Series. She competed in major events like the Daytona 500 before retiring in 2018.

Her relationship with NASCAR fans was highly polarizing, marked by immense popularity among casual fans and skepticism from hardcore enthusiasts. Fans and fellow drivers frequently criticized her throughout her career.

The bottom line? Even years later, Patrick's name still generates strong reactions in the racing community. This Reddit poll is just the latest evidence that her complicated legacy in the sport hasn't softened with time.

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