Danica Patrick announces divorce

After 7 years of marriage, Danica Patrick announced Tuesday on her Facebook page that her and husband Paul Hospenthal are getting a divorce.

“I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage,” said Patrick on her Facebook page.

“This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.”

Patrick and Hospenthal were married in November, 2005 after the two met while Hospenthal treated Patrick for a non-racing injury.

The couple have no children and tried to keep a low-profile as a couple throughout their marriage.

2012 was Patrick’s first full-time season in NASCAR after competing at the IndyCar level full-time since the 2005 season.

Splitting time between the JR Motorsports Nationwide Series team where she competed for the series championship, Patrick also raced in 10 Sprint Cup Series races for Stewart-Haas Racing.

She had recently become the first female driver to win the Most Popular Driver award in the Nationwide Series after becoming the first female to finish in the top-10 in the series point standings.

In 2013, Patrick will race full-time in the Sprint Cup Series, once racing for SHR.