Danica Patrick is once again sparking heated debate among motorsports fans after a viral online poll labeled her one of the “most disliked” drivers in racing history.
The discussion took off across Reddit and X after fans participated in a trending chart ranking drivers in categories such as “most beloved,” “most liked,” “most controversial,” “most disliked,” and “most despised” across NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and MotoGP.
Patrick’s name ultimately landed in the “most disliked” category for both NASCAR and IndyCar, reigniting years-long conversations surrounding one of the most polarizing figures the sport has ever seen.
The viral discussion quickly drew thousands of reactions from racing fans, with some agreeing with the result while others strongly defended Patrick’s legacy and impact on the sport.
Danica Patrick’s Career Still Divides Racing Fans
GettyDanica Patrick celebrates after winning the IndyCar Series Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 Mile at Twin Ring Motegi on April 20, 2008, in Motegi, Japan.
Patrick remains one of the most recognizable drivers in modern American motorsports history.
In 2008, she became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race after capturing victory at the Indy Japan 300. She later made headlines again in 2013 when she became the first woman to win the pole for the Daytona 500. To this day, she remains the only woman to accomplish either feat.
Patrick transitioned full-time to NASCAR in 2012 and competed in the Cup Series through 2017. During that stretch, she recorded seven top-10 finishes at NASCAR’s highest level while becoming one of the sport’s biggest crossover stars.
Even after retiring from full-time racing, Patrick has remained in the public spotlight through broadcasting appearances, podcast work, business ventures, and political commentary.
That visibility has also made her one of racing’s most debated personalities years after stepping away from the driver’s seat.
Fans Split Over Viral Danica Patrick Poll
The viral poll generated passionate responses from fans across social media and racing forums.
Some fans argued Patrick’s reputation changed significantly after her NASCAR career ended.
“If this poll was taken in 2009 it would be very different,” one fan wrote online.
Another commenter added, “I was never a fan of Danica’s but wasn’t she voted the most popular driver for like five straight years?”
Others pointed to Patrick’s outspoken personality and public commentary as reasons opinions around her have shifted over time.
Still, many fans pushed back strongly against the criticism and defended Patrick’s accomplishments.
Supporters argued Patrick helped bring mainstream attention to both IndyCar and NASCAR while breaking barriers for women in motorsports at the highest levels of racing.
Others noted that Patrick often faced a level of scrutiny rarely directed at many of her male counterparts.
Patrick’s NASCAR Legacy Remains Complicated
Patrick’s NASCAR tenure has long divided fans and analysts.
Critics frequently point to her lack of Cup Series wins and inconsistent finishes during her stock car career. Supporters, meanwhile, argue her influence on the sport extended far beyond statistics.
Few drivers in recent NASCAR history generated the level of mainstream attention Patrick brought to the garage.
She became one of the faces of the sport during her prime, appeared in multiple high-profile Super Bowl commercials, and helped introduce NASCAR and IndyCar to audiences that may not have otherwise followed racing.
Now, years after her final Daytona 500 start in 2018, Patrick’s legacy continues to generate strong reactions whenever her name trends online.
And judging by the latest viral poll, fans remain just as divided about her place in motorsports history as ever.
Danica Patrick Hit With Brutal Label in Viral Racing Poll