Danica Patrick announced today that she was getting divorced from her husband Paul Hospenthal.
The NASCAR driver made the announcement on Facebook.
“I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage. This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”
Hospenthal and Patrick were married in 2005. The two met when Hopsnethal, a physical therapist, treated Patrick for a non-racing related injury. Yahoo Sports notes that Hospenthal, who is 17-years-older than Patrick, was rarely seen on the sidelines during Patrick’s first full season in NASCAR.
Patrick was named the most popular driver in NASCAR’s Nationwide series this year but she didn’t find the greatest results. According to ESPN , Patrick had an average finish of 18.8 in 33 Nationwide races this year. In the Sprint Cup series, Patrick averaged a 28.3 finish over 10 races.
Patrick will be racing in the top-level Spring Cup series full time next year with Tony Stewar’s Haas Racing.
Are you surprised that Danica Patrick and Paul Hospenthal are getting divorced?