“Another year bites the dust”: Danica Patrick shares a sweet birthday message for her dad 

Danica Patrick shared a short birthday message for her father on Instagram. The post showed a family photo and a caption celebrating his birthday.

Danica Patrick’s father is Terry Joseph “T. J.” Patrick Jr. He raced in stock cars, snowmobiles, motocross and midget cars. He supported Danica Patrick from the start of her career.

TJ worked as her early crew chief when she raced go-karts. Later on he helped drive her motor coach and handled her merchandise and website. In the birthday post, Danica Patrick wrote,

“Happy birthday pops!!!! Another year bites the dust!!!! But it’s not showing! Love you!”

As for Patrick, her career covered both IndyCar and NASCAR. She raced in IndyCar first, where she got one win and became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race. She finished third in the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

After that she moved into stock car racing. She ran full time in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2013 to 2017. She made 190 career Cup starts and won seven top ten finishes. She also raced in the Xfinity Series, where she finished tenth in the 2012 standings. It was the highest finish for a woman in that series.

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“Nothing is free people”: Danica Patrick reacts to Mark Cuban’s criticism

Before the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick shared her reaction to Mark Cuban’s comments about New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani said he wanted to make New York more affordable, including ideas like free housing, free transportation and cheaper groceries.

Patrick posted a clip of Cuban’s interview on her Instagram story. In the interview, Cuban said the plans sounded good to people, but he did not think they were possible. When asked if the plans would work, he said they would not.

"I mean, of course, that’s what they need particularly in New York and that’s what they’re gonna respond positively to,” Cuban said

However, when asked if it would work, Cuban's response was not very positive towards the situation. He said,

"No, of course not!”

Danica Patrick agreed with him. On her Instagram story she wrote,

“Can this work! 'No!' Nothing is free people. And if it is, you're the product.”

Patrick raced in the IndyCar Series from 2005 to 2011 and in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2012 to 2018. She won the 2008 Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race.

The 43-year-old also won the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver award. She now lives in Arizona and runs several businesses, including her wine brands Somnium and Danica Rosé Wine. She also worked with Sky Sports F1 during the 2025 season.