It was a memorable year for former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick who closed the curtain on her distinguished motorsport career.
But it was also an unforgettable Christmas for the Patrick household thanks to a precious gift donated by the 36-year-old to her father T.J.
Danica gave her father a frame containing her first and last race suits, the latter worn last May during her final Indy 500.
It was an emotional moment for both father and daughter, as Danica wrote on Instagram.
"Merry Christmas Eve! This is from yesterday before I left my parents place in Indy," she said.
"We did Christmas early and my sis helped with the idea of something sentimental for dad ….. we all cried. It’s my first and last suit. It was an emotional year of leaving something behind that was such a huge part of our lives.
"The main reason I am saying all this, is because Christmas doesn’t have to cost a lot of money," she added.
"It should cost something different …. sometimes more than we are willing to give, and that is your time and/or deep thought of a gift that will mean something to someone. I
"I am guilty of spending money, yes, but I also put all a lot of thought to what I am getting."
