Danica Patrick back for Indy 500
Retired driver will be in NBC Sports TV booth
Danica Patrick is returning to racing — sort of. The retired NASCAR and IndyCar driver will be in the broadcast booth for NBC Sports at the 103rd Indianapolis 500 in May, returning to the iconic track where she officially retired from racing in 2018.
For NBC Sports’ first year broadcasting one of the biggest motor sports events in the world — ABC did it for the last 54 years — Patrick will work as an analyst for the race, as well as during pre- and post-race coverage, the network announced Wednesday morning. She’ll work alongside host Mike Tirico for the event.
After retiring from racing last year with what was dubbed the “Danica Double” — the last two races of her career were NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and then the Indy 500 — Patrick has been a fulltime entrepreneur. She has her wine company, her athleisure wear clothing line and her health and fitness book and workout program. She told For The Win in the fall that she was also exploring the idea of becoming a fitness instructor, writing another book or even hosting a cooking show.
Since she’s making a brief return to IndyCar, here are five reasons she’s a great fit for the Indy 500 broadcast team.
1. Danica will get to show off her witty personality
She’s funny and full of wisecracks and sarcastic jokes, but that side of her
personality doesn’t usually come across in quick soundbites or on social media. So unless you get a chance to spend real time with her, racing fans don’t usually have the opportunity to see who she really is. And having a major role in broadcasting the Indy 500 could change that.
In addition to covering the Indy 500’s Pole Day, which is the week before the race, she’ll be on air for hours on actual race day. And we’re willing to bet that as the day goes on, she’ll get more and more comfortable in front of the camera, and her wit and personality will be on display. Danica’s fans and racing lovers in general should be excited about that.
2. This is actually her area of expertise
Unlike when Danica hosted the ESPYS last summer and people wrote a monologue for her and jokes that weren’t all hits, racing is a different situation entirely. She competed for seven full-time seasons in IndyCar (20052011) before switching her whole focus over to NASCAR for six years.
With Tirico leading the way for the Indy 500, Danica can offer her perspective and analysis based on her experience behind the wheel and specifically in IndyCar, racing in eight Indy 500s. Several retired race car drivers have made the transition from the track to the broadcast booth, and a combination of their personalities and invaluable experience made them successful.
Plus, she knows what it’s like to be out front at this iconic race when, at the 2005 Indy 500, she became the first female driver to lead laps before ultimately finishing fourth. She also led laps in the 2011 500 and finished 10th and remains the only woman to ever win an IndyCar race (2008 Indy Japan 300).
3. She’s not entirely new to broadcasting
Two years ago when Danica was still in NASCAR, she was part of FOX Sports’ drivers-only race broadcast team. She co-hosted the network’s coverage from a mobile studio, so her role during the actual race was pretty minimal. But some experience is better than none, and even if she is a little nervous, broadcasting Pole Day the Sunday before the Indy 500 might help ease her into it.
And if not, she’s always good for some self-deprecating jokes too (see No. 1).
4. Danica genuinely loves Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indy 500 “holds a very special place in my heart,” she said in Wednesday’s release from NBC Sports, adding that she’s always “flooded with positive emotions” whenever she enters the track. Her parents are still based in the area, and prior to last year’s Indy 500, she explained in detail what being at the famous track means to her.
“It always feels good,” she told For
The Win last year. “My dad took me from the airport to the track, and as we were driving in, he was like, ‘Man, it just always feels so good to drive into this track,’ and I always say the same thing too. It’s a special place.”
5. She’s still one of the biggest names in racing
Danica Patrick is still a household name, even though her last full-time season was in NASCAR in 2017. She transcended racing like few others have before her, and in her 14 years of racing at the top of both IndyCar and NASCAR, she was always in the spotlight. Having her name - along with all the other skills and attributes she’ll bring to the table attached to the Indy 500 broadcast could help reach a wider audience than what the race already has.