Danica Patrick Says She'll End Career After 2018 Indianapolis 500

Danica Patrick will take the last lap of her career in May during the Indianapolis 500. CBS News said Patrick made the announcement Friday to The Associated Press, as she's had her decision made for at least a month. According to CBS News, Patrick told AP her emotional decision in front of her father, mother, sister, brother-in-law, boyfriend and support team in a crowded room at Homestead-Miami Speedway

CBS News reports Patrick told AP it took her months to come to the realization her career is all but over, and the idea of ending her career at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway came to mind once she accepted this.

Patrick, through several pauses, reportedly announced that she will race only in the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 and then she will walk away from the sport where she's become one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world.

According to CBS News, Patrick is the only woman to have led laps in both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500, and ran the Indy 500 from 2005 through 2011 with her best finish in third place in 2009.

The new outlet reports Patrick wouldn't say who she'll drive for in either race next year, but Chip Ganassi Racing is the likely ride at Indy.

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Photo credit: Chuck Burton/Associated Press