Danica Patrick Divorces Husband Paul Hospenthal

IndyCar superstar Danica Patrick, known best for her sultry GoDaddy.com commercials, announced on Facebook that she is divorcing her husband of seven years, Paul Hospenthal.

"I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage," Patrick wrote on her page. "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."

The two met when Hospenthal, a physical therapist, treated Patrick for injuries in 2002 before marrying her in 2005. The couple has no children.

The announcement came shortly after Patrick posted a video link thanking fans for voting her the most popular driver on NASCAR's mid-tier Nationwide Series circuit. She finished 10^th in points overall this year, her first in the circuit. Her popularity gives her commercial appeal and sponsor GoDaddy.com announced that Patrick will once again appear in the company's Super Bowl ad this year. She has been sponsored by the web domain company since 2007.

What remains to be seen is if the split will help or hurt Patrick's image. Odds are that the driver, known as much for her sex appeal as her racing abilities, can expect a celebrity boost in the coming months as tabloids will undoubtedly clamor for exclusives on who she's dating now that the 79^th sexiest woman in sports is back on the market.