Dani Ben-Ari

Danica Patrick 35, will seek to go out in style as she one again dons her familiar GoDaddy green at the Daytona 500 on February 18, at Daytona International Speedway.

This time, however, the car which will compete for Premieum Motorsports will sport #7 instead of the notable #10 she drove for Stewart Haas in NASCAR. In addition, the new car’s first half has been christened the “Danica Double,” and will have a white ‘7’ painted on the door and “Go Daddy” in black letters on the hood.

The “Danica Double” logo commemorates her 2018 schedule of crown-jewel races — the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 on May 27. This will mark Patrick’s 7th Daytona 500 start. She won the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500, finishing a career best of 8th that year.

Patrick announced her retirement from full-time racing during a press conference last November at Homestead Miami Speedway after losing her seat with Stewart-Haas. The team let her go following the loss of her sponsorship by Nature’s Bakery, and has already announced that they have replaced her with Aric Almirola for the 2019 season.

Danica Patrick originally shot to fame first on the IndyCar circuit where she was named the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and the circuit’s most popular driver from 2005-2010. She also won the 2008 Indy Japan 300 in 2008.

Later, Danica transitioned to NASCAR, where she achieved 7 Top Ten finishes (the most by a woman in the Cup Series), during her five years in the sport. Her best year in NASCAR however, came last year when she finished 24th overall. Still, despite having competed in more than 365 races in all competitions, and earning 14 Top 10 finishes, seven podium finishes and five pole-position wins over the years, winning has been elusive.

As a result, her novelty has worn off with both sponsors and fans. We will be glad to see her return, though. She’s one of the best drivers the sport has seen.