Danica returns to pages of <i>SI</i>.

After her widely appreciated debut in 2008, Danica Patrick once again graces the pages of the famous Sports Illustrated magazine swimsuit edition although, this year, she swaps sandy beaches for a silver Shelby Cobra 427 and New York studio.

More than 70 million people are expected to pick up a copy of the special annual issue which, this year, features a shot of the Andretti Green Driver on the upper right corner of the cover. In addition, while more than 250 million people are expected to view photo galleries on the magazine's website, which includes 34 shots of the 26-year old, as well as the following video.

"This year's swimsuit photoshoot for Sports Illustrated was a lot of fun," said Patrick, who will be looking to add to her single IRL victory - taken at Motegi last year - when she returns to the track in April, "Most of the photoshoots I have done in the past have been in studios, so I felt comfortable. The photos turned out great."

"I think SI portrays women in a classy and beautiful way and I'm honoured that they asked me to be part of the swimsuit shoot again."

For connoisseurs, Patrick will also feature on the cover of the May issue of Shape magazine.