Disappointing end to career

– Danica Patrick’s 20year auto-racing career came to an abrupt end on Sunday when she crashed out of the 102nd Indianapolis 500.

Patrick (above), the only woman to win an IndyCar race and start from pole at the Daytona 500 Nascar stock car race, escaped injury after losing control and hitting the wall on the 68th of 200 laps on the famed 4km Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, where Will Power became the first Australian to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

“Today was really disappointing, for what we were hoping for and what you want for your last race,” said Patrick, 36, who slid back across the track and came to rest in the infield.

She climbed out of the neon-green car and was examined and released from the on-site medical facility.

Patrick had said she would be turning her attention to her varied business interests after completing what she dubbed the “Danica Double” of the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. She finished 35th at Daytona after being involved in a six-car crash.

Patrick, returning to Indianapolis for the first time since 2011, qualified seventh-fastest in a car owned by Ed Carpenter, the hometown hero who qualified for his third Indy 500 pole and backed Patrick’s bid for one last ride.

Patrick acknowledged it was an emotional day as she said goodbye not only to the Brickyard (the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) but her career.

“I’m pretty sad,” she added. “I will say, though, for sure I’m very grateful for everybody and for being able to finish it up (at Indianapolis) like I wanted to. But for all that I’m grateful.” –

Chicago