Danica Patrick Will Be the First Woman to Host the ESPYS
ESPN’s annual award show will break away from its monotonous routine of male hosts for its 26th event. Sports stars alike will converge at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on July 18th to celebrate outstanding athletic performances, and this time they’ll get to listen to a woman do the talking.
Professional racecar driver Danica Patrick is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing. She was the first woman to finish in the top-five at the Indianapolis 500 in 2005, the first woman to win a major league open-wheel race in a North American series, and the only woman to win a NASCAR Cup Series pole.
The auto racing icon shared her big announcement with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show on Tuesday and even hinted at the news earlier in the evening via Instagram.
Patrick told ESPN, “My first ESPYS was 2005, and I have been a fan, coming back every year since. It is the biggest night of the year for sports. Every year, I leave feeling so inspired! I am excited to be able to help celebrate, laugh and cry about the past year in sports with everyone. It’s going to be a great night and one full of more than a few surprises.”
