NASCAR's Danica Patrick becomes first driver with over 1 million Twitter followers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Danica Patrick has become the first NASCAR driver to amass over 1 million Twitter followers.

The racing star's account reached the milestone in the days prior to Sunday's Daytona 500.

Patrick, 28, is a polarizing figure in the racing world. She has a number of loyal supporters and is popular among casual fans, but has also received harsh criticism in the past from NASCAR die-hards who question her merit as a driver.

Patrick is the undisputed leader when compared to her fellow NASCAR drivers on Twitter. She has more than twice as many followers as six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who comes in second amongst drivers at 541,000.

Patrick finished in 40th place on Sunday after being involved in a multi-car wreck during the race. No one was seriously injured.

[Las Vegas Review Journal] [ESPN]