Danica Patrick’s 2010-11 seasons with Michael Andretti’s team drew sharp criticism from racing icon Mario Andretti.
While she shattered barriers as the first woman to win an IndyCar race and lead the Indianapolis 500, her trailblazing IndyCar career hit turbulence in its final act. The four-time IndyCar champion accused Patrick of a “half-hearted” commitment as she pivoted to NASCAR—a shift that reshaped her legacy.
Patrick’s performance degraded during those years, dropping from fifth to 10th in the championship standings. Behind the scenes, tensions simmered over her divided priorities.
Mario Andretti Questions Danica Patrick’s Commitment During NASCAR Transition
Patrick joined Michael Andretti’s IndyCar team in 2007, delivering five seasons of progress capped by a career-best third-place finish in 2009. However, her 2010-11 campaigns, coinciding with part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, indicated the decline. Mario Andretti, father of team owner Michael, didn’t mince words.
“Her mind was in NASCAR at that point,” he told Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “She was just trying to finish off her time in IndyCars. It was a transition time. She certainly didn’t have her mind fully engaged in the IndyCar scene, so it was suffering for sure.”
The 1978 F1 champion added Patrick “short-changed the team and herself” by splitting focus. The stats backed his claim. After six straight Most Popular Driver awards and seven podium finishes from 2007-09, Patrick logged zero podiums in her final two IndyCar seasons. Her 2011 exit marked the end of an era and the start of a desperate NASCAR chapter.
Michael Andretti Cites Media Distraction in IndyCar Decline
Michael Andretti, team owner, and 1991 CART champion, echoed his father’s concerns but framed them as a broader issue. “[Patrick] brought a lot of good stuff, but she brought a lot of other things that really took away from the rest of our series,” he told ESPN post-2011. “I don’t think that’s healthy. And I think NASCAR’s going to find that.”
The “things” he referenced were overwhelming media attention. Patrick’s celebrity often overshadowed IndyCar’s on-track product, diverting coverage from rivals. While her popularity boosted ticket sales, Michael argued it created an unhealthy imbalance.
Patrick’s legacy remains complex. She broke gender barriers yet faced scrutiny for ambition beyond open-wheel racing. Mario acknowledged her talent but lamented the split priorities:
“You have to look at her goals. She had to make the transition somehow, and that is the way it was.”
For Andretti Global, the lesson was clear: no driver outshines the sport. As Patrick’s NASCAR stint unfolded, IndyCar rebuilt its identity.