autoevolution
 

NASCAR Couple Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Crash in Chicago

There’s one key reason why you should never date a coworker: after the workday is done, you still have to deal with your significant on the home front. But lovebirds/NASCAR competitors Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have a totally different workplace relationship that we’re sure spilled over into the home front following a late-race crash at Chicagoland Speedway over the weekend.
Danica Patrick crashed into boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  during this weekend's NASCAR race 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from NASCAR
With 10 laps to go in the first race of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup “playoff” Chase system, the two were racing for position three-wide along with Tony Stewart when Patrick’s Chevrolet SS ran Stenhouse and his Ford Fusion into the wall. At first, Patrick said that Stenhouse had hit her, but the video (along with her post-race quotes) shows that the incident was her fault.

"I heard my spotter [Brandon Benesch] say that the 14 [Tony Stewart] was below me on track, and I didn't know the 17 [Stenhouse Jr.] was there on the high side of the track. My spotter took the blame on that one. I just didn’t know Ricky was up there, and I obviously don't want to hit his car or anyone else with 10 laps to go,” said Patrick.

Despite the damaged cars, both racers ended up finishing at the tail end of the lead lap with Stenhouse Jr. in 17th position and Patrick in 19th. Neither driver made it into the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. While this was probably an awkward conversation after the race, we’re sure it was quite as bad as the trip home from the NASCAR awards last year after comedian Jay Mohr put the spotlight on these two.

Head over to NASCAR.com for the report and video of the incident.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories