The career of Danica Patrick, the most successful female driver in NASCAR history, had its fair share of trials. Despite being the only female pole winner in the Cup Series, Patrick faced a lot of scrutiny from fans. From the way she transitioned from IndyCar to NASCAR, to her lack of impressive results in the stock car series, criticism was her constant companion. And fans never flocked to her like they did with some of the stars she raced alongside — legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart.
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Then again, engaging with fans was never her strong suit, admitted Patrick during a 12-question interview with Jeff Gluck in 2017. She stated pitching to fans is not her cup of tea, and that she can’t fake it.
“Man, I don’t think you can pitch a fan,” Patrick told Gluck.
She elaborated that loyalty from fans cannot be bought or manipulated through gimmicks.
“I think a fan is your fan because they decide to be and not because you’re offering free candies or a lifetime of happiness. I think you decide who you cheer for based on perhaps history, family, maybe who you used to cheer for,” added Patrick.
“Like if you cheered for Jeff Gordon, you may cheer for Chase Elliott now just based on the alliance with that number and team and history. But otherwise, it’s personality, and I can’t fake a fan. You really can’t. It will all come out eventually if you can for a little while,” she explained.
Patrick firmly believed in the organic growth of a fan base.
“I don’t think you can make a fan yours just by saying, ‘Be my fan’ and telling them a good reason why,” she said.
Patrick’s understanding of the nature of fandom is pretty much the reality. The fans celebrate many aspects when they follow a star, and their loyalty is built over the years.
For instance, Gordon is celebrated for his sheer dominance on the track, and Earnhardt Jr. is revered for his overall contributions to the sport. On the other hand, Carl Edwards is admired for his charismatic personality and for pioneering multiple primary sponsorships. Stewart is cheered for his versatility, for continuing to make his mark in racing across various disciplines, including NHRA in 2024.
Patrick was also someone who was particular about her privacy, which racing stars hardly get when outside in a public space.
Patrick’s idea of fan interaction when out at dinner with someone
Speaking with Gluck, Patrick shared the way she expects fans should approach when she is having a personal outing. Like dining at a restaurant. The 2013 Daytona 500 pole position winner said that while she appreciates fan interactions, the timing and manners matter greatly.
According to her, if she is in the middle of dinner and a fan recognizes her, a simple acknowledgment would suffice. A quick, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know I’m a huge fan, good luck this weekend,” strikes the perfect note for her.
She highlighted that such courteous interactions are genuinely respectful and commendable.
“I know because I’ve been in that position before when I don’t want to go up to somebody and say anything because I’m embarrassed or I don’t want to bother them,” Patrick told Gluck.
“So it took bravery, but they were polite enough to keep it very simple and acknowledge instead of trying to have something to take with them,” she added.
Patrick drew the curtain on her full-time NASCAR career in 2018 after five years with Stewart-Haas Racing.
