NASCAR driver Danica Patrick is ending her marriage to husband Paul E. Hospenthal. They’ve been married for seven years, but this time there’s no Lucky #7.
Addressing her loyal fans on Facebook, Patrick (age 30) posted news of her upcoming divorce:
“I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 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.”
Paul Hospenthal is a 47-year-old Scottsdale physical therapist. The two met when Patrick sought treatment for a hip injury in 2002; they were married in 2005. Reportedly a mutual decision to split, the couple does not have children. The division of marital property and possible spousal maintenance are likely to be the primary financial issues requiring resolution in this Arizona divorce.
Apparently, the NASCAR driver has learned quite a lot from her husband about managing finances. Following her very first Daytona 500, Patrick spoke of Hospenthal in glowing terms. “He’s smart and has had his own company for a long time. He’s just an intelligent guy. I learned from him how to take care of things,” said Patrick.
According to the Sporting News, Patrick was voted 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver. That’s remarkable given that 2012 marked Patrick’s first full time NASCAR season. She’s also the “highest-finishing woman ever in the Indianapolis 500 with a third in 2009, became the first woman to finish in the top-10 in a NASCAR national series as she placed 10th in the Nationwide Series this year driving for JR Motorsports.”
A petite powerhouse at 5’2” tall and 100 pounds, Patrick is also the official Go Daddy star spokesperson. In 2013, she’ll be driving full time for Tony Stewart’s Sprint Cup team.
Resource:
