Fansided

Danica Patrick loses GoDaddy as sponsor for 2016

By Stanford Crissey

Feb 22, 2015; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) during driver introductions before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (10) during driver introductions before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has lost her longtime sponsor, GoDaddy.com

GoDaddy.com, longtime sponsor and partner of Danica Patrick, has ended its partnership with the NASCAR driver.

GoDaddy, best known for its tantalizing commercials that explain nothing about what kind of company it is, announced its intention to end the sponsorship today with this statement:

"We love Danica and all she does to empower and inspire people, especially women, which is why we are working to keep her in the GoDaddy family. We have the utmost respect for Stewart-Haas Racing, and they’ve been phenomenal partners. In fact, NASCAR has been a tremendous domestic platform to help us achieve an 81 percent aided brand awareness domestically, but at this stage, we need a range of marketing assets that reach a more globally diverse set of customers."

Patrick responded by giving this statement to the Associated Press:

“I’m sad. I’m a little surprised and I’m sad. But to say I didn’t imagine this was not a scenario would be a lie. It’s bittersweet. It’s going to be really weird to think I won’t drive the bright green, can’t-miss-it car next year.”

Patrick’s relationship with the web hosting company dates back eight years, to the beginning of her racing career, and culminated in a 2009 Super Bowl commercial that was the most-watched ad of that year’s game.

The relationship isn’t completely dead, though, as Brant James of USA Today reports that GoDaddy is still interested in keeping Patrick as a representative through a personal contract.

The move comes as GoDaddy, which has more than 13 million customers, moves its focus toward small business and international markets. The company suggested to USA Today that the decision was made as they move forward from a “brand building phase.”

Patrick is perhaps the most successful woman in auto racing history, earning publicity and driving well both in Formula One and NASCAR races to become something of a trail blazer for women in auto racing. 2007’s “sexiest athlete” according to Victoria’s Secret has attracted criticism from some, but remains one of auto racing’s best representatives, as well as a nice contrast to the stereotypical NASCAR driver, who is usually seen as an old, white “redneck” whose name is probably something like Rusty.

Patrick is currently in the middle of her best season to date. She has two top-10 finishes in nine starts, with an average finish of 18th.

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