Danica Patrick is definitely done with the "single girl summer" era. If you’ve been keeping an eye on her Instagram lately, you probably noticed things have gotten a lot more interesting than just vineyard shots and podcast clips. Honestly, for a woman who spent years in the high-velocity world of NASCAR and IndyCar, her private life has been a different kind of race—one with plenty of tight turns and a few high-profile crashes.
But let’s get to the point. You’re wondering about danica patrick dating who right now, especially after those cryptic posts that started popping up around the holidays.
The New Mystery Man: What We Actually Know
As of early 2026, Danica is officially off the market, but she’s playing it way cooler than she did in the past. Remember the absolute media circus with Aaron Rodgers? Yeah, she seems to be avoiding a repeat of that. On January 11, 2026, she basically did a "soft launch" of her new relationship. She posted a carousel of photos from her New Year’s celebrations with a caption that said, "Not so new, new year’s pics. Kinda pumped for 2026."
Right there in the middle of the slides was a shot of her planting a kiss on the cheek of a man wearing "Happy New Year" sunglasses. He had his arm around her waist, and they looked incredibly comfortable.
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The Details:
- Identity: Still technically a "mystery" in terms of a name, though fans have been sleuthing.
- Timeline: She called the photos "not so new," which suggests they’ve been together for a while, potentially dating back to the late summer of 2025.
- The Burning Man Connection: Back in September 2024, she was seen getting cozy with a "hunky guy" at Burning Man. While she hasn't confirmed if the New Year's beau is the same person, the vibe is strikingly similar—outdoorsy, fit, and clearly not a Hollywood A-lister.
It’s a massive shift. For years, Danica was half of a "power couple," whether it was with a fellow driver or an NFL MVP. Now? She seems to be leaning into someone who stays out of the headlines.
Why Danica is Being So Secretive This Time
You can't really blame her for keeping the lid on this one. If you’ve followed her journey, you know she’s been through the ringer. In May 2025, she went on The Sage Steele Show and dropped some absolute bombs about her 2020 breakup with Aaron Rodgers.
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She didn't hold back. She described the relationship as "emotionally abusive" and said the split was the most painful thing she’s ever dealt with. She literally used the phrase "he leaves a trail of blood." When you go through a public trauma like that, followed by a relatively short-lived romance with Freshly co-founder Carter Comstock, you learn to value privacy.
Basically, she’s in her "peace of mind" era. She told Haley Dillon on the Believe in the Good podcast in mid-2025 that she was single at the time, but she was focused on "planning more fun and being grateful." It looks like that fun included a new partner who doesn't feel the need to be tagged in every post.
A Look Back at the Men Who Came Before
To understand why this current relationship feels different, you’ve got to look at the track record. It hasn't been a straight line.
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- Paul Edward Hospenthal: Her first major relationship was her marriage to Paul, a physical therapist 17 years her senior. They were married from 2005 to 2013. It was stable, quiet, and ended amicably.
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: This was the "NASCAR power couple." They dated for five years, and she even froze her eggs during this time, thinking he was the one. They split in 2017 when things didn't progress toward marriage.
- Aaron Rodgers: The one everyone remembers. From 2018 to 2020, they were everywhere. They bought a $28 million Malibu mansion. They did the ESPYs. And then, it just... ended. Suddenly.
- Carter Comstock: A brief but sweet rebound in 2021. They were both investors in a wellness brand called Beam. It lasted about a year before they realized they weren't a long-term match.
What This Means for Danica Fans
The fact that Danica is "pumped for 2026" says a lot. She’s 43 now, and her life is a mix of F1 punditry for Sky Sports, running her Somnium vineyard, and hosting her Pretty Intense podcast.
She isn't looking for someone to "complete" her career or her public image. She’s looking for someone to play Jenga with at New Year's parties and go to Burning Man with. If you’re looking for a name to drop at a dinner party, we don’t have a confirmed "John Doe" yet, but the energy around her suggests she's found something that feels a lot more grounded than her past "Super Bowl" romances.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Watch her Instagram Stories: That’s where the "accidental" reveals usually happen.
- Check the F1 Paddock: Since she’s a regular on the F1 circuit, her partner often travels with her to races in Miami or Austin.
- Listen to her podcast: She often drops "life updates" in the intros of Pretty Intense that give more context than a static photo ever could.