Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has announced her intention to vote for the first time in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election.
Known for her accomplishments as a woman in motorsport, the 42-year-old former professional driver shared this decision at a Donald Trump town hall event in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event featured Trump and his running mate JD Vance, where Patrick confirmed her alignment with their politics.
Danica Patrick, who has been vocal in her support for the 45th President, explained the sense of urgency she feels this election cycle.
“I just want to say I’ve never voted before, but this time around, I have to vote. It’s that important.” Initially, Patrick had endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but ultimately shifted her support to Trump, citing her belief in his policies. This move was significant enough for Vance to seek clarification, humorously asking, “I just want to be clear, I want to get on record — you’re voting for us, right?” To which Patrick emphatically replied, “1,000 percent.”
Danica Patrick and director Hannah Storm present at the espnW Summit held at Resort at Pelican Hill on October 1, 2018 in Newport Beach, California. Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick reveals she will vote for the first time in 2024.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Her endorsement of Trump appears to be heavily influenced by her admiration for his experience in business.
“The person that runs this country should ultimately be running it very much like a business. I can’t really think of a better businessman than Donald Trump,” Patrick said. “A guy like that who has been in business as long as he has, he’s gonna go into that room and he’s gonna get stuff done. That’s what we need, a president who is actually going to make changes happen.”
Patrick also remarked on Trump’s previous term’s exposure of alleged “fake news”.
“I think that Trump did a really good job of letting us know that there is such a thing as fake news,” she said.
Beyond the political sphere, Danica Patrick’s life has been defined by her pioneering role in motorsports. Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, she began racing go-karts at age 10, and by her late teens, she was competing internationally. She returned to the U.S. in the early 2000s and made history in IndyCar racing. Patrick’s move to NASCAR in 2010 marked another milestone, during which she became the first woman to win the pole at the Daytona 500.
As a public figure, Patrick has leveraged her platform to promote active civic engagement. At the Hamilton County Republican Fall Dinner, she encouraged first-time voters to do so. “It’s a matter of doing that and helping people understand how to do it – especially getting people who have never voted before.”
Donald Trump, who served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, is known as a polarizing figure with a background in business. By aligning with his renewed bid for office, Patrick is endorsing a return to what she sees as effective governance through business-like management of the country’s affairs.
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, brings his own distinct profile to the campaign. He is the author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and currently serves as a U.S. Senator from Ohio.
“First rodeo is always a little difficult. I think this second rodeo, he would be able to make an insane difference,” Patrick predicted.
