Danica Patrick Melts Down Over Politician’s ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Knowledge

Danica Patrick crashed out on social media Wednesday over Texas senator-elect James Talarico’s knowledge of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The former IndyCar and NASCAR driver, 44, reposted a campaign clip in which Talarico was asked who his favorite drag queen in Texas is.

Talarico answered without hesitation: “Oh gosh, probably Alyssa Edwards.”

Patrick shared the clip to her Instagram Story on November 4 with a single word: “Seriously.”

She added a facepalm emoji.

Talarico, 37, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race on Tuesday, November 3.

It was the first time a Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas since 1988.

Paxton, 63, had used the same clip in an attack ad during the campaign.

When Paxton posted the ad on social media, he wrote: “Meet Alyssa Edwards: James Talarico’s favorite sick and twisted drag queen.”

Edwards, 46, is a native of Mesquite, Texas, and appeared on season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

She also returned for season 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Edwards responded to Paxton’s attack ad with an impassioned letter shared on social media.

“I’m not sure I fully understand your motive or intention in attempting to disparage my name, my character, or my reputation,” Edwards wrote.

“But I do know this: the way we choose to speak about others often says far more about our own character than it ever will about theirs.”

She added: “My life may look different from yours, but difference does not diminish character, faith, service, or a person’s ability to positively contribute to their community. Texas is big enough for all of us.”

Patrick has been increasingly vocal about her conservative politics since retiring from racing.

Last month, she gushed about spending a day with President Donald Trump on Air Force One.

“He is so easy to talk to and SO fun to listen to!”

Patrick wrote on Instagram.

“He’s a great story teller… funny and obviously interesting. He is also very curious what your opinion is pertaining to any topic. And of course he is really into sports, which I love!”

She added: “There will never be another Donald J. Trump! He not only loves his country deeply but delivers intelligence, leadership, entertainment and humor all day long. Our job was not done with the election 2 years ago. Big shifts take time and we have to keep showing up! Let’s help him and his amazing staff make the most of the last half of” — the post cut off there.

Patrick’s political turn has been a notable shift from her earlier career.

She raced in the IndyCar Series from 2005 to 2011 and remains the only woman to win a race in the series, having done so at the 2008 Japan 300.

She also drove in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series from 2010 until her retirement in 2018.

In March 2026, Sky Sports F1 announced Patrick would no longer be part of its F1 coverage.

Patrick said she made the decision to step away after the 2025 season.

“The Sky team was so much fun (thank you all), I saw so many amazing new race tracks and cities, and got to be part of a huge boom in F1! I called after the last race in 2025 and said it was time for me to move on and I was so grateful for the opportunity and experience I was given!” she wrote on Instagram.

Sky Sports announced motorsports journalist Alexa Rendell as Patrick’s replacement on Wednesday.

Rendell will debut at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.

Talarico’s victory was part of a larger Democratic wave in Texas.

Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, flipping the governor’s mansion as well.

Patrick was not the only public figure reacting to Talarico’s win.

WNBA star Paige Bueckers reposted a photo of Talarico and Hinojosa eating at Whataburger after the victory.

“Cmon now Texas,” Bueckers wrote with four blue heart emojis.

Washington Mystics guard Rori Harmon also reposted the photo, captioning it “I just know they got the patty melt” with a celebration emoji.

WNBA legend Nneka Ogwumike posted a photo of Talarico speaking to a crowd and followed it with the announcement that Hinojosa had defeated Abbott.

Patrick’s post about Talarico’s drag queen answer drew immediate attention.

The clip had already been a flashpoint in the campaign, with Paxton using it to portray Talarico as out of step with Texas values.

But Talarico’s win suggests the attack did not land with voters.

Edwards’ letter in response to Paxton’s ad framed the issue as one of basic decency.

“Texas is big enough for all of us,” she wrote.