Danica Patrick
Date of Birth: 3/25/1982
Rookie Card Year: 2006
Investment Rating: 6.0
Overview
When you combine girl-next-door good looks with speeds of 230 miles-per-hour, it tends to get people's attention. Such is the case with Danica Patrick. Her up-and-down success on the track has resulted in Madison Avenue opportunities off of it in modeling and advertising. It has also meant a strong following for Danica Patrick cards and memorabilia.
Addicted to speed at a young age, Patrick's racing career started on the go-kart tracks of rural Illinois and Wisconsin. Quickly displaying a knack for learning a track's nuances and how to get the most out of the horsepower allotted her, she progressed to Formula Fords as a teenager in England.
Returning to the States to race for Rahal Letterman Racing in junior circuits serving as a gateway to IRL, she consistently finished in the top five with several podium finishes. In 2005, Patrick posted the fastest lap during the Indianapolis 500 time trials. Eventually qualifying fourth for the race's start, it was the highest ever achieved by a woman at the famed Brickyard. During the actual race, she became the first woman to be on the lead lap, a total of 19, and secured her starting position with a fourth-place finish. As a result of her historic achievements at Indy, she was recognized as IRL's Rookie of the Year.
Perhaps no other driver in the history of racing has been surrounded with so much hype despite just one career victory (Indy Japan 300 on April 20, 2008). In over 100 career starts, Patrick has just three poles to go with her single win. Her highest points rank was fifth in 2009. Despite these statistics, it was no surprise when JR Motorsports of NASCAR's Nationwide Series came calling in 2010 to ask about her interest in competing on an additional circuit. With three top ten finishes and the money available to her in more endorsement opportunities, Patrick has recently committed to NASCAR full-time for the 2012 season leaving behind her open wheel career.
Because Danica Patrick embodies two things a lot of people love, speed and beauty, her memorabilia is in strong demand. Her autograph, despite being a gracious in-person signer, commands top dollar on the secondary market. Numerous Danica Patrick cards exist from companies like Press Pass and Rittenhouse. Given that she has raced in two different, non-competing circuits, her rookie cards hail from two different years. Cards issued in 2007 are her Indy rookie cards and cards issued in 2010 are her NASCAR rookie cards. To further complicate matters, Patrick also appeared in 2006 Topps Allen & Ginter, a baseball set that also has athletes from other sports, pop culture figures and overlooked champions. Patrick also signed a small number of cards for the set.
Unlike other sports, die-cast racing collectibles are extremely popular. Patrick has several scale model cars available for both open wheel and stock car enthusiasts. Perhaps her most popular items are autographed copies of the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in which she appeared in for a four-page spread.
Danica Patrick Rookie Card Checklist
IRL Rookie Cards
NASCAR Rookie Cards
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Autograph Guide
Danica Patrick Autograph Memorabilia Guide
Below you will find examples of what an authentic Danica Patrick autograph looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Tristar and Mounted Memories. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Danica Patrick Cut Signature Exemplar
Danica Patrick Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Danica Patrick signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features, particularly the first two traits:
- A very unique signature defined by a fluid and over-sized letter "D."
- The "D" contains a down and up pen stroke to start the letter on the left-hand side, followed by a large, oval shaped curve that flows into the rest of the letters.
- The remaining letters, though written are illegible.
- The last character of the signature consists of a nearly complete circle that is implied to be the letter "P."
Danica Patrick Signed Photo Pricing:
Active Listings for Danica Patrick Signed Photographs
 
Danica Patrick Signed Diecast Pricing:
Active Listings for Danica Patrick Signed Diecast
Danica Patrick Signed Helmet Pricing:
Active Listings for Danica Patrick Signed Helmet
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Other Resources
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Pete Wehe
Dear Sir,
I have a 2010 PRESSPASS/ELEMENT unopened pack of Danica Patrick cards. There seem to be 2 in the package.
How do I determine the value of this without openning?
Thank you,
Pete Wehe