Danica Patrick Married

For old-times sake, okay.

The 23-year-old driver, who finished fourth in the Indianapolis 500, and physical therapist Paul Hospenthal, 40, were married on Saturday in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Team spokesman Brent Maurer said Patrick asked Rahal Letterman Racing to release virtually no information on the ceremony. Maurer could only confirm on Tuesday that Patrick was married and that car owner Bobby Rahal was there.

Patrick met Hospenthal while seeking treatment for a hip injury from a yoga session.

She finished 12th overall in the IRL, won rookie of the year honors in both the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500, won three poles and became a national phenomenon after leading and finishing fourth at Indy.

"It was a good year," Patrick said. "There's always more out there and you have to want that more. Just being satisfied with what happened isn't going to necessarily make any more history."

The many fans who became part of "Danica Mania" after the Indy race will have to wait until next year now to see if the diminutive 23-year-old driver can take the next step and become the first female winner in the IRL.

"I wanted more at the end, but I can walk away knowing that I accomplished many of the goals I set before the season," Patrick said. "Now I have a year of IRL racing under me and we'll be ready for a good 2006 season."

As part of the folks that helped spread "Danica Mania" (and not to mention the numbers at this blog), we here at the BBA wish Danica and her husband the very best.

We also wish to call her husband one very lucky bastard.