Danica Patrick's parents played a pivotal role in shaping her career. During her Men's Health interview, Patrick revealed that her interest in race car driving grew from her parents' previous ties to snowmobile racing. "But racing was just in our DNA," said Patrick. "My mom and dad met in racing, so I think it was second nature for them. They just looked at racing as something that'd be fun to do as a family." Patrick's parents also took on roles in her professional team. "Both my parents worked for me," shared Patrick with Graham Bensinger. "They sold the glass company so that they could come manage me, drive my bus. Do everything."

Unfortunately, Patrick eventually fired them, but she revealed that the decision wasn't totally hers. Instead, she placed much of the blame on her then-husband, Paul Hospenthal. "I was pushed into certain family dynamics based on a relationship that were not okay. I look back, and I'm like, I was manipulated," Patrick shared. "I was in a relationship where I was, kind of, forced to choose and push my parents out." Fortunately, Patrick and her parents made up after she left her marriage. However, fans in the comment section felt she didn't take ownership of her decision. "Just like her racing career she accepts no responsibility for her actions, crashes, and losses then blames everyone else around her," said one viewer.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZmamxhbYJzhI6wn7Jllpa7tHnCmqWtZaOprq%2BwjJ2Yp6GTlnqxrdOroJyjXw%3D%3D