Danica Patrick Named Only Driver On Forbes Celebrity 100 List

Danica Patrick has recently taken heat from former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, but she has no reason to be worried. Not only did her fellow drivers back her up, but she’s also the only one to be named to Forbes Celebrity 100 list this year.

She’s made the list multiple times since 2007 and she comes in at No. 91 in 2013. She ranked 95th in her first year on the list and has fell in at 96th each of the last two years.

Her move to a full-time Sprint Cup schedule may have helped her jump, but she’s also considered one of the most marketable women in all of sports. Patrick joins a star-studded cast of women on the list, which includes Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Taylor Swift among others.

In her rookie season this year, she’s collected one pole position and is currently 27th in the points race. Though she isn’t in contention for the chase to the Cup just yet, Danica Patrick has already made history this season.

She became the first female driver ever to start from the pole in a Sprint Cup race after leading the pack at Daytona in the first week of the season. She eventually finished 9th in the race, but she hasn’t returned to the top-10 ever since.

Though she hasn’t seen victory lane yet, the 31-year-old has been much better of late and finished in 13th place at Michigan two weeks ago. She finished 29th last week at Sonoma and is now preparing for Kentucky this weekend.

Her focus remains on the race ahead, but she recently spoke out about being named to the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.

“It’s pretty flattering,” she told ESPN.com. “You see the names on that list, and it’s pretty incredible to be included. It’s obviously great for Go Daddy and for all of my sponsors as well. It’s a great honor for me and everyone involved. I’m certainly happy to be included.”

Do you think Danica Patrick is good for NASCAR?

[Image via nickledford]