Danica Patrick: Concussions Reason Enough to Make Her Walk Away From Racing

NASCAR star Danica Patrick said Wednesday during Daytona 500 media day that she has probably had 12 concussions during her racing career.

Patrick was speaking in support of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who missed the last 18 races of the 2016 season with a concussion.

"Every time you crash, you have a concussion on a varying degree," Patrick said, according to Sporting News. "When [Earnhardt] said something about having 12 concussions, I'm like, 'I'm sure I’ve had 12 concussions.' ... It makes you think for sure.

"It makes you pay attention to yourself, and there’s nothing better than having somebody like Dale Jr. going as far as getting out of the car as long as he did, saying, 'Hey, I have a problem,' because it makes it more available to everyone else," Patrick added.

Patrick has never missed a race because of an injury, but said if she was told another concussion could cause her serious problems with her health, she would leave the sport.

"We all like to sweep it under the rug as drivers like we feel fine, nothing’s wrong," Patrick said, USA Today reported. "But it's our life, and if there was someone that told me — or I would hope any other driver — if you have another wreck you could have a serious problem, they would be out. Like, I would be out. I love what I do, but I also love lots of other things, and I also love life, and I’m too young to have it be over."

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