MARTINSVILLE — Danica Patrick says she was “repaying the favor” when she ran into David Gilliland with less than 100 laps left in Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway.
Patrick hit the wall to bring out the caution on Lap 158 after being hit from behind by Gilliland.
Patrick was upset on the radio and said “no matter what I do, he is (in trouble).’’
Later during the race, she ran near Gilliland but didn’t know it was him because he’s in a special paint scheme. His red car is honoring NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Cook. After passing Gilliland, she was told that was his car. Patrick responded: “Damn it, I was meaning to take him out. I’ll have to next time.’’
Patrick ran into the back of Gilliland about 250 laps after their first incident. Patrick’s car was too damaged to continue.
“He unnecessarily, I thought, took me out at the beginning of the race,’’ Patrick told NASCAR Talk. “So I was just repaying the favor.’’