“I’m Seeing Bright Lights & a Priest”- Danica Patrick Unmasks Biggest Racing Scare That Left Her Fearing for Her Life

When Danica Patrick joined NASCAR, the media went gaga. From her exquisite beauty to alluring photoshoots, nothing was left unnoticed or unattended. The NASCAR media still continues to focus on her, even years after she retired from racing in 2017. Her affinity for controversial comments and bold statements can be cited as the reason behind her being in the spotlight. Fans and media frequently discuss her because of her candid opinions, perspectives on race lengths, and political views. This time around, the retired racer caught the attention of the audience once again after revealing a frightening incident that took place on the track years ago.

Danica Patrick’s horrific IndyCar debut

In an interview with Doug Bopst, Patrick opened up about the scariest moment of her racing career. At the Homestead-Miami Speedway during the 2005 IndyCar Series, Danica Patrick experienced a horrific crash involving multiple cars. The Toyota Indy 300, a 200-lap race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, was underway. Shortly after a restart, Kosuke Matsuura spun in turn one, initiating the crash. On lap 159, Patrick avoided the spinning cars but clipped Ed Carpenter’s decelerating vehicle. This collision launched her into the air and then into a hard impact with the two outer walls. The crash left Patrick visibly shaken and with a minor concussion

Recalling the incident Patrick said, “I was probably like 18. I mean that was probably like the biggest transition as far as scary goes. Look my first IndyCar race was a pretty big accident. Like my very first one first race in Homestead Miami 2005. It was like a very big crash and turns one into you know half three quarters of the way through the race. And a car came down and clipped my right rear and I shot up into the wall, and like, slid down the track. The car is on fire, like I don’t remember it you know… I had to go to the hospital in an ambulance.

Patrick further expanded on her experience when she regained consciousness, “Before that I woke up in the medical center at the track. Like looking up to a bright light and then I see a priest come over my head. And then I see my mom come over my head, and I’m like, am I in like, what happened? And I literally said what happened, like where am I? Like what happened, and my mom was like you just had a little accident. I’m like, little accident, Mom, I’m seeing bright lights & a priest right now. That was probably the scariest accident though as far as something physical.” Although she had a tough time, Patrick enjoyed her track time.