Ricky stenhouse jr and danica patrick

CHARLOTTE — NASCAR’s fairy-tale romance apparently is over.

A spokeswoman for driver Danica Patrick confirmed to The Associated Press Monday that Patrick and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

have ended their five-year relationship.

Patrick and Stenhouse have been a couple since 2013, their first season as full-time drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Their very public relationship made them an anomaly in motorsports – on-track competitors and off-track life partners.

Neither driver could be reached for comment Monday, and Patrick’s spokeswoman said the two had requested privacy.

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BRENNAN:Appreciate, don't denigrate, Patrick for her racing career

Patrick, 35, and Stenhouse, 30, remained a couple at least through mid-November, when Stenhouse attended an emotional Patrick press con