History-Making Former Race Car Driver Danica Patrick Sizzled on the Shores of Florida

The model posed for the 2008 and ’09 SI Swimsuit Issues.

Ananya Panchal | Jul 28, 2024

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

Danica Patrick never fails to amaze, whether she’s zooming down the track or posing in front of the camera. Patrick is known for her super successful and historic career as a race car driver—her 2008 Indy Japan 300 victory is the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race.

The retired professional race car driver was featured in the 2008 SI Swimsuit Issue, and she brought a little piece of her career as a prop while posing for photographer Ben Watts in Singer Island, Fla. The Wisconsin native stepped out of her comfort zone by donning a few different little white string bikinis, but found solace in having her racing suit, helmet and gloves with her for certain photos.

“This type of shooting is actually really fun. I didn’t know how I would feeling coming in. I don't think I’ve ever really been in a straight swimsuit before for a photoshoot, so I was a little bit nervous but excited, too, because this is a big deal. I did the best to prepare. It [was] weird to be in a bathing suit and wearing racing boots or a suit,” she shared. “The Swimsuit Issue is something that everybody looks at. I’m so flattered because it’s such a unique and prestigious piece to be a part of.”

The 42-year-old returned to the fold for the 2009 magazine, and worked with visual artist Marlena Bielinska for an in-studio project.

Below are four phenomenal photos of the model from her SI Swimsuit photo shoot in Florida.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Published Jul 28, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.