Danica Patrick isn't just a retired racing star who still pops up at the Indy 500 or covers NASCAR—she's also become a full-blown political provocateur. And on Sunday night, she made sure everyone knew exactly where she stands by taking a public shot at those who disagree with her politically.
Patrick, who boasts a million followers on Instagram, shared a video to her story that shows a conservative man attending a left-leaning rally and asking women a simple question: what rights do men have that women don't? The people in the clip couldn't come up with an answer. The video has since racked up nearly 200,000 likes on the platform.
The move is the latest sign that Patrick, 42, is leaning hard into her new role as a conservative activist. It's a role she says she never planned for but one that felt like a calling. “It felt like a calling. I’d love to hear some of your perspective on how it all feels because it’s been a tidal wave of change in what you do and how people see you,” Patrick said in a recent interview. “Standing up for something is a powerful thing because it’s when you’re in your truth. When you’re in your truth, you’re quite magnetic.”
Patrick described her political awakening as rapid and intense. She voted for the first time in November 2024 and admitted to being “red pilled,” shifting from a left-leaning or independent stance to a conservative one. Her first political event was AmFest in Phoenix a little over a year ago, where she met conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. She later appeared on Tucker Carlson's show in early January. “I didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was. I never paid attention to politics and quite specially have been avoiding the news since 2018,” she said. “After going to that event, I posted some photos of my sister and I. It [her post] said, ‘I love this country.’ That was a divisive comment to so many, which was ridiculous. I then met Tucker Carlson and went on his show in the beginning of January. I came back from Florida and Charlie reached out to go on his show. I was like, ‘Well, I guess I’m in politics now.’”
Patrick's political pivot has coincided with a change in her professional life. She was let go by Sky Sports before the 2026 Formula 1 season, a move she framed as mutual. In a statement, she said, “From my first Sky Sports F1 race in Austin to my last 5 years later… I had such a blast! The Sky team was so much fun (thank you all), I saw so many amazing new race tracks and cities, and got to be part of a huge boom in F1! I called after the last race in 2025 and said it was time for me to move on and I was so grateful for the opportunity and experience I was given!”
Now, with more time on her hands, Patrick is using her social media platform to amplify conservative messages. The video she shared Sunday night is just the latest example of her willingness to engage in political combat. It's a far cry from her days on the track, but Patrick seems to be enjoying the new arena.
Patrick's transition from racing to politics has not been without controversy. She previously faced backlash over her outfit at the Indy 500, with critics questioning her wardrobe choices. In response, she fired back at the critics, saying, “I like it.” Her bold dress also sparked a social media firestorm, with fans rallying behind her. But Patrick appears unfazed by the noise, focusing instead on her new mission.
As she continues to balance occasional broadcasting gigs—like covering the Indy 500 for Fox Sports—with political activism, Patrick shows no signs of slowing down. Whether she's on the track or in the political arena, she's determined to be heard.
