Former Stewart-Haas Racing legend Danica Patrick didn’t just break barriers in motorsports; she shattered expectations far beyond the track. After making history as the most successful woman in American open-wheel racing, Patrick found herself in demand not only for her skills behind the wheel but also for her presence in the world of pop culture and fashion.
Blast From the Past: When Danica Patrick’s IndyCar Win Fueled Her Rise in the Fashion World
Patrick never really set out to become a model. Yet, her success on the racetrack quickly caught the attention of major media outlets, including Sports Illustrated, which featured the sensation in their Swimsuit Issue.
Her big breakthrough came in 2005, when she came in hot with a P4 finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, piloting Rahal Letterman Racing’s No.16 Panoz Honda. After qualifying fourth, she went on to lead 19 laps, trouncing names like Tony Kanaan and Helios Castroneves to a brilliant fourth-place finish.
But the best was yet to come. In 2008, she made history by winning the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi, becoming the first woman driver to win a race in the series. This triumph skyrocketed her stocks, and before the racer knew, she was in the stratosphere with fame. Subsequently, in the same year, Sports Illustrated approached her to appear in its award-winning swimsuit edition, joining a select group of models and athletes.
She was featured in both the 2008 and 2009 editions, further cementing her status as a crossover star beyond the world of motorsports. Reflecting on her experience with SI, the now 43-year-old said:
“You could actually say I was on the cover. I had a little image in the top right corner of the cover. I think Bar Refaeli was the cover girl that year. I had so much fun. It was a great experience and I loved it completely. Like, I wish I was a swimsuit model because it was really fun.”
The lady ace posed in a white outfit beneath her racing suit during the shoot in Singer Island, Florida, flaunting her curves, while photographer Ben Watts captured the iconic shot. She was again one of the models of the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2009, and she went to New York City for the photoshoot.
This afternoon, we're dreaming of two-time #SISwim athlete @DanicaPatrick in a bikini… http://t.co/ueSKJx5gdw pic.twitter.com/ivLzJOGfM2
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit)
And in 2009, Patrick again made history as the only athlete to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Joining the ranks of high-profile athletes featured by the magazine, her appearance further solidified her status as a cultural icon.
Following the shoot, she even expressed interest in exploring modeling more seriously, stating that she would consider becoming a full-time model if the opportunity ever arose.