DANICA PATRICK

The first day of Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series testing at Daytona International Speedway, saw Danica Patrick turned 20 laps, on Thursday. It is in preparation for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, which is on January 28-29.

2005 Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick tested the No. 2 Howard-Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford, in afternoon and evening of Thursday with recently-retired NASCAR star Rusty Wallace.

Danica Ptrick was invited to join the team and compete in the 44th annual twice-around-the clock event by the 1989 NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace, who has officially announced his participation in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team will also include American road racing stalwart Boris Said, and Scottish sports car ace Allan McNish.

“We’re running the Rolex 24 for sure,” Rusty Wallace said. “We’re going to get ( Danica Patrick) in the car and get her some time, and see if she likes driving the car. It’s kind of up to her if she wants to be the fourth driver in the car. She’s got the invitation, there’s no doubt about that, but we feel like we’re going to have a good, winning team, and we feel like we’re organized.”

It is to be noted that both Danica Patirck and Rusty Wallace has never competed in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. But both drivers have had a long-standing interest in participating on the 3.56-mile road course that incorporates much of the Daytona International Speedway oval.

Danica Patrick won the Female Athlete of the year 2005 award from United States Sports Academy and USA Today. Roger Federer was the winner of Outstanding Athlete of the Year award. US Open Tennis Champion Kim Clijsters and LPGA Champion Annika Sorenstom was second & third respectively to Danica in the poll conducted for the award.

Danica Patrick weds Paul Hospentha, a physical therapist and who was her personal trainer. The marriage took place in Scottsdale, Arizona on Saturday .

Rahal Team spokesman Brent Maurer said Danica Patrick has asked Rahal Letterman Racing to release virtually no information about the marriage. Maurer could only confirm Tuesday that Patrick was married and that car owner Bobby Rahal was there.

Danica Patrick made history in the 2005 Indy 500 by finishing fourth - the highest for a woman driver. At one point of the race she was in first place, but a fuel conservation confusion led to a late race pitstop, which cost the victory for Danica Patrick.

While seeking treatment for a hip injury from yoga session helped Danica met Hospenthal.