Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Dating: NASCAR Drivers Declare Relationship Immediately after Patrick Data files To have Divorce proceedings From Paul Hospenthal [PHOTO]

Within the a job interview towards Related Press, Patrick verified that she and you can Stenhouse is actually a couple, finish speculation regarding their matchmaking.

“You will find a boyfriend, his name is Richard,” she told you during a private cellphone interview to the AP. “In my opinion Now i am finally thrilled to tell people on the it.”

“Yes we are dating,” the guy said. “I do not normally state a lot of on my personal lifestyle, always been focused on the newest track. I did not need certainly to establish at news day to make sure that we could keep the focus on the year, this new Gen-6 (car), my personal sponsors and you can party. That’s what it is all regarding for my situation.”

Patrick informed brand new AP that a couple of turned best friends when they raced each other the final a few seasons regarding All over the country Collection. Stenhouse, twenty-five, turned into a teacher so you’re able to Patrick, 29, exactly who leftover IndyCar adopting the 2011 season to really make the complete-go out switch to NASCAR.

Patrick announced inside November she and spouse, Paul Hospenthal, was basically divorcing shortly after eight years. She said in the a good Jan. step 3 breakup filing that this lady matrimony for the 47-year-dated Hospenthal try “irretrievably busted.”

“Our company is relationships, and that i know there have been a bit of a good runaround that it times within mass media days and you may terrible Ricky got grilled (having concerns),” she said. “It actually was away from admiration in order to NASCAR, to all or any manufacturers, the newest automobiles, the brand new groups, new sponsors, in order to allow the news throughout the day are on racing and not assist one thing affect that. Very, it’s Friday today, therefore this is why i waited through to the weekend break to-be up front regarding each other.”

While you are Patrick has actually a well-recognized reputation of getting tight-lipped on the the girl individual lifetime, she advised brand new AP which he made an exclusion now to finish the newest gossip therefore the two could be open about their matchmaking.

“I do believe that moving forward into season, it is a question of are you willing to say some thing, or are you willing to only go on?” she said. “In lieu of speculation and folks making-up their particular tales otherwise speaking between by themselves or you effect uncomfortable walking on the for every single other people’s (motorhomes) shifting, or just around our organizations otherwise things, it’s simply more straightforward to be in advance and get it out of your own method following to have whatever shameful speculation.”

Stenhouse try expected during the mass media tour’s take a look at Roush Fenway Race in the event the he was relationship Patrick

“Without a doubt, we have been racing along with her for a couple years, your and i usually gotten with each other, we always had loads of esteem for

every single most other toward the fresh new tune, discover not ever been an issue available to choose from,” she told you. “I usually state I will competition individuals how they competition me personally up until they are doing one thing to build me personally change my personal mind. I don’t acceptance you to definitely altering whatsoever, otherwise us which have people situations into the track.”

“It’s not going to affect the way i battle on the song. I wish to go out and win, We battle group hard,” the guy said.

Patrick commonly race the 2013 NASCAR Springtime Glass Collection to own Stewart-Haas Rushing. The girl basic seasons on the NSCS, the woman finest finish try 17th in her season finale at Phoenix.