Danica Patrick’s collision with critics
Danica Patrick is a pioneering driver who notched seven top-10 finishes in NASCAR’s Cup Series. But between 2007 and 2014, she was just as famous for her appearances in GoDaddy’s Super Bowl ads, which showed her showering, unzipping her top, and saying naughty things to bros online. Patrick went into these spots with eyes wide open, even enjoying some creative influence. But the themes for these ads came from GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons, who’s admitted to his brand’s “frat boy” advertising. Even so, Patrick hasn’t escaped public scorn. “People are right to be pissed at Danica Patrick,” said an editorial in Slate. “She squandered the goodwill of a multitude of fans who wanted to see a woman win at what used to be a man’s game.”
