You’ve probably seen the headlines lately. Or maybe you caught that blurry, happy-looking photo on Instagram. People are asking the same thing they’ve been asking for a decade: is danica patrick in a relationship again, and who’s the lucky guy this time?
Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Danica has never been one to hide her life, but she’s also not handing out press releases about every date. After some pretty public heartbreaks—we’re talking NFL superstars and NASCAR rivals—she’s been playing it a lot closer to the vest. But if you look at her New Year’s 2026 posts, the vibes are definitely changing.
The big "soft launch" of 2026
For most of 2025, Danica was flying solo. She was vocal about it, too. On podcasts like Believe in the Good with Haley Dillon, she flat-out said she was single. She was focusing on "life hacks" like being grateful and just having fun.
Then came the holidays.
In late December 2025 and early January 2026, the "soft launch" began. You know the drill—a shoulder in the frame, a hand on a waist, but no face. On January 11, 2026, she posted a carousel of photos from her New Year’s Eve celebrations. Tucked in there was a shot of her planting a kiss on the cheek of a man wearing "Happy New Year" sunglasses.
She didn't tag him. She didn't name him. She just said she was "kinda pumped for 2026."
Who is the mystery boyfriend?
As of right now, we don't have a name. Fans are doing the usual FBI-level deep dives into her follower list, but Danica is keeping this one private for now. It’s a sharp pivot from her past relationships where everything was on the red carpet from day one.
Some think he might be from the business world, similar to her ex Carter Comstock. Others wonder if he’s someone she met through her wine business or the F1 broadcasting circuit. Whoever he is, he’s been popping up in her feed since mid-December, including a cozy snap on a fake ski lift at a holiday carnival in Scottsdale.
Why she’s being so careful this time
If you want to understand why she’s keeping this guy’s identity under wraps, you have to look at what she’s been saying about her exes lately.
👉 See also: Why Short Hair Winona Ryder Still Dominates Mood Boards Decades Later
Just a few months ago, Danica got incredibly raw on The Sage Steele Show. She described her 2020 breakup with Aaron Rodgers as the most painful experience of her life. She didn't hold back, calling the relationship "emotionally abusive" and saying it wore her down to "nothing."
When you go through something that leaves what she called a "trail of blood," you’re probably not in a rush to put your next partner in the spotlight. She’s protecting her peace. Can you blame her?
A look back at the guys who came before
To get the full picture of where she is now, you’ve gotta remember where she’s been. It hasn't been a short list:
- Paul Hospenthal: The physical therapist she met after a yoga injury. They were married for seven years before splitting in 2013.
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: The fellow NASCAR driver. They were together for five years. They even talked about kids and marriage, but it fizzled out in late 2017.
- Aaron Rodgers: The high-profile one. They bought a $28 million Malibu mansion together. They were the "it" couple until the sudden split in 2020.
- Carter Comstock: The co-founder of Freshly. They dated for about a year starting in 2021. It was "fun," as she put it, but it wasn't the forever thing.
The "Burning Man" confusion
Wait, what about that guy from the desert? Back in late 2024 and throughout 2025, there was a lot of buzz about a mystery man she was kissing at Burning Man. People thought that was the one.
But Danica later cleared that up (sorta). She emphasized that the festival is about "hugs and love," and she eventually confirmed she was single again by mid-2025. It seems like that was either a short-lived spark or just part of the festival experience.
What this means for Danica in 2026
So, is danica patrick in a relationship right now? The answer is a very likely yes.
She’s glowing. Her posts are full of "new energy." She’s talking about biohacking, orgasms (yep, she went there on a podcast with Dave Asprey), and taking care of her body. She seems to be in a place where she doesn't need a man to define her, which usually is exactly when the right person shows up.
What we can learn from her journey
Danica has always been a "pretty intense" person—hence the name of her podcast and book. If you’re following her story, here’s the takeaway:
📖 Related: Sexy Kylie Jenner Photos: Why the World Can’t Stop Looking
- Privacy is a choice: You don't owe anyone the details of your love life, even if you’re famous.
- Healing takes time: She took years to really process the "emotional abuse" she felt in past relationships before opening up again.
- The "Soft Launch" works: If you’re not sure about someone yet, keep 'em off the grid. It saves a lot of deleting later if things go south.
Keep an eye on her Instagram stories. The tags usually start appearing once the relationship hits the six-month mark. For now, let’s just be happy she’s "pumped for 2026." She’s earned a little bit of quiet happiness.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check out Danica's recent appearances on the Believe in the Good podcast to hear her own words on her growth over the last year. If you're looking for more updates on her F1 broadcasting schedule, her official site is the best place to see where she'll be traveling next—which is often where these mystery dates happen!