Danica Patrick Backs Riley Gaines In Simone Biles Feud: ‘Common Sense Will Prevail’

Former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick said supporting men in women’s sports is “irrational” as she defended former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines in her spat with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles over trans-identifying athletes.

“This issue has a shelf life,” Patrick said in a social media post. “I truly believe common sense will prevail. But until then, I am grateful for people like Riley Gaines who are making sure no one gets away with it. Not to mention the fact that she actually lived it.”

The argument began over the weekend, when Biles attacked Gaines and voiced support for trans-identifying athletes. Gaines had recently criticized a trans-identifying man who led a Minnesota high school softball team to win a state championship.

“You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race,” Biles said in a post on X. “Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender… https://t.co/pjpzuZ0AlO

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025

Biles later told Gaines to “bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”

bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025

Gaines, who competed against trans-identifying man Lia Thomas, called Biles’ post “disappointing.”

“My take is the least controversial take on the planet,” Gaines said in an X post. “Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams? Didn’t have that on my bingo card.”

This is so disappointing. My take is the least controversial take on the planet.

Simone Biles being a male-apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams? Didn’t have that on my bingo card.

Maybe she could compete in pommel horse and rings in 2028. https://t.co/Ptn35pyEvh

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025

Patrick also criticized supporters of trans-identifying athletes.

“Defending men in women’s sports is the woke mind virus and/or another issue that requires therapy,” Patrick said.

Patrick competed against male drivers during her NASCAR and IndyCar careers and became the first woman to win an IndyCar race after her IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300 victory. Although she never won a NASCAR race, despite competing in seven seasons, she earned seven top-10 finishes, according to ABC News.

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Studies differ on whether or not biological differences impact driving ability. A 2016 study of 35 male drivers and 25 female drivers found men had a higher reaction time when braking, while a Michigan State University study from 2019 of six male drivers and six female drivers found no significant physiological differences between sexes in racecar driving.

Patrick herself seems to believe there is a biological difference. In 2023, she said racecar driving is “masculine” by nature, according to Planet F1.

“​​You have to, you know, handle the car — not only just the car because that’s skill, but the mindset that it takes to be really good is something that’s not normal in a feminine mind, a female mind,” Patrick said.

After Biles attacked Gaines, one of the gymnast’s posts from October 2017 resurfaced and undermined Biles’ recent remarks, The Daily Wire previously reported.

“ahhhh good thing guys don’t compete against girls or he’d take all the gold medals!!” Biles said in response to a post that has been deleted.

ahhhh good thing guys don’t compete against girls or he’d take all the gold medals !! 🥇 https://t.co/gto13RzC8Y

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) October 12, 2017

Gaines highlighted Biles’ change of opinion.

“Oop don’t you hate it when your past self completely undermines your current nonsensical argument?” Gaines said. “How has 2025 Simone reconciled with the fact 2017 Simone was a ‘truly sick bully’ by her own standard?”

Oop don’t you hate it when your past self completely undermines your current nonsensical argument?

How has 2025 Simone reconciled with the fact 2017 Simone was a ‘truly sick bully’ by her own standard? https://t.co/aQjKuNSmMh

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 8, 2025