Danica Patrick and her boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collided on the track during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on Sunday, knocking Stenhouse Jr. out of the race.
On lap 31 of 110 at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, the two closest NASCAR competitors off the track got into each other on the track. The #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford or Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collided with the out-of-control #10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford of Danica Patrick during Stage 2 of the race eventually won by Patrick’s teammate, Kevin Harvick.
Kyle Larson held the inside line in turn 4 with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the middle and Danica Patrick on the outside. Larson was pinned to the bottom, and he made slight contact with Earnhardt Jr. because of it, causing Earnhardt Jr. to slightly tap the rear end of Patrick’s car, sending her spinning.
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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. arrived on the scene behind Larson and Earnhardt Jr. and beside Clint Bowyer. He slowed down beside Chase Elliott to try to avoid Patrick’s car, but he was unable to do so, and he ended up smashing into her, damaging the front of his car and the back of hers. Because of the accident, Stenhouse Jr. was the first car out of the race in 38th place.
You can watch a replay and hear an analysis of the accident below.
A total of four cars got around Patrick before Stenhouse Jr. hit her, with everyone behind him managing to avoid her as well. Obviously he would never have hit her intentionally, but it is quite ironic that he, her boyfriend, of all drivers happened to be the one to come into her path as she spun back out onto the track. I guess she was right during her controversial interview at Kansas; she has had some tough luck so far this season. Now he has as well.
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