Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. end relationship after 5 years together

Danica Patrick announced Monday she and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had broken up after five years of dating.

Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have broken up, ending their five-year relationship that saw them race against one another in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series.

The 35-year-old Patrick and the 30-year-old Stenhouse went public with their relationship in January 2013, a month before the season-opening Daytona 500. That season Patrick and Stenhouse competed for Rookie of the Year honors, with Stenhouse winning the award.

Patrick announced Nov. 17 she would run only the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 in 2018, then retire from racing. Stenhouse attended the news conference and Patrick, who several times got emotional, thanked him for his support.

But Stenhouse was not accompanied by Patrick when he attended the NASCAR Cup Series awards ceremony Nov. 30 at the Wynn Las Vegas, fueling speculation the couple had separated. A Patrick spokesperson confirmed the break up to The Associated Press Monday.

Before her relationship with Stenhouse, Patrick was married to Paul Hospenthal for seven years. Patrick announced in November 2012 she planned to divorce Hospenthal, with their divorce finalized in April 2013. Patrick said in court documents the reason she sought a divorce from Hospenthal was that the marriage was “irretrievably broken.”

Stenhouse won his first-career Cup race in 2017, taking the checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway in May. He followed with a second win at Daytona International Speedway in July, with the victories earning him a first-ever playoff berth.

Stenhouse will continue driving for Roush Fenway Racing in 2018, the team he’s been with for the entirety of his career. Patrick, who drove for Stewart-Haas Racing from 2013-17, has not announced which team(s) she will join to race at Daytona and Indianapolis next season.

Patrick is releasing a health and fitness book next week.