Both Ricky and Danica refer to each other as good friends

Jan 25, 2013 13:32 GMT  ·  By

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is dodging questions about whether or not he is in a relationship with former Indy Car racer Danica Patrick.

Stenhouse responded to a series of questions during his Sprint Media Tour, on Thursday, January 24. As expected, a lot of them were about him dating fellow Sprint Cup driver Patrick.

The pair met when they were both getting started, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2010. According to USA Today, they have since developed what they call a close friendship.

“We've got a great relationship. Obviously, it started when she came into the sport. We were both going to rookie meetings. It's been cool to work with her in the Nationwide Series. I've felt like she could come to me with advice with the experience I've had,” he explains.

The driver tells the press that his focus is on his career, and he is not interested in his work being overshadowed by rumors about his personal life.

“The fans can focus on whatever they want. [...] I stay focused on what I've got to do for my career, what I gotta do for me to make a living.

“I don't like to talk too much about my personal life. I think this week is about Roush Fenway, the Gen 6 (car), our sponsors and our season that we're looking ahead to.

“It's going to be fun racing her in rookie of the year. I think it's going to be very exciting. I've never raced a friend for a championship, for rookie of the year,” he adds.

The pair attended a Professional Bull Riders event together on Saturday, but explain that they came as part of a group.

Danica is currently in the middle of a divorce. HuffPost details that she already filed the paperwork in January, wishing to make her split from Paul Hospenthal official.