Danica Patrick Accessorized Her Stunning White Swimsuits With Racing Gear During Her Photoshoot in Florida

We still can’t get over the former pro race car driver’s 2008 SI Swimsuit debut.

Danica Patrick was photographed by Ben Watts in Singer Island, Fla.Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Danica Patrick may be best known for her impressive career on the race track, but her athletic prowess is far from the only thing she has on her résumé. Among her many talents and impressive feats, the 41-year-old can claim modeling as a skill. Though not something she has done often throughout her career, it is something that she has done in a big way. 

In 2008, the professional athlete ditched her racing gear (for the most part) and took to the beaches of Singer Island, Fla., for her SI Swimsuit debut. Though she wasn’t gearing up for a race, she brought elements of her uniform with her, posing in bright white swimsuits complemented by her black-and-blue race suit, black gloves and helmet.

Though not conventional, the unique additions made for some absolutely incredible photos of the big-time athlete. “I had so much fun. It was a great experience,” Patrick said years later of the photoshoot. “I loved it completely. I wish I was a swimsuit model because it was really fun.” She appreciated the “artistic” side of the whole process, a sentiment that truly showed in the final photos.

We have to say we wish she was a swimsuit model, too. But we’ll settle for having Patrick grace the pages of the issue in both 2008 and ’09, when she returned for her second consecutive feature.

While we could never declare a favorite, here are a few of the stunning—and unique—photos from Patrick’s trip to the Sunshine State.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

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