Danica Patrick in SI Swimsuit Edition

A photo of Danica Patrick from this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue Photographer: Ben Watts; Suit by: Aspara; Location: Singer Island, Fla.

More than 69 million people are expected to read the special issue while more than 250 million people are expected to view photo galleries on the magazine's website.

"What an amazing honor to be asked to be in the SI Swimsuit issue," said Patrick, who will join other models and celebrities at a launch party Feb. 12 in New York City. "It's such an amazing publication and has such a following. I look at it and I like to see the pictures, and I'm a girl so I can't imagine how many people will see the issue."

A four-page spread features photos of Patrick that were shot at Singer Island, Fla. by photographer Ben Watts last fall following the IndyCar Series Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park. Additionally, a 44-photo gallery is available on Sports Illustrated's website.

"It was a lot of fun, actually," she said. "I expected it to be nerve-wracking. I've posed (for many photos) in clothes, but I'd never posed in a swimming suit. I didn't know if I'd know exactly what to do, but amazingly it all translated over. I was comfortable and we all had fun. We shot so much stuff in a relatively little amount of time. It was a day and half of a good time. We even were able to relax a little after the second day."

Not only did she spend time in front of the camera, Patrick is also featured in a full-page Q&A with Dan Patrick, who recently made his debut on the pages of SI as a senior writer and weekly columnist.

In addition to its vast U.S. readership, the 2008 SI Swimsuit Issue will be distributed in more than 10 foreign countries, including China, Czech Republic, Greece, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain and Taiwan. The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Special premieres on TNT Feb. 16 at 11 p.m. ET. The special takes an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the making of the issue. A home DVD version of the program, with bonus footage and exclusive access to the photo shoots, retails for $9.99.

Working directly with Patrick and her Andretti Green Racing team, the Indy Racing League will give fans the opportunity to win a limited edition autographed poster from the SI shoot by visiting indycar.com.

Additionally, the league is running a 2008 schedule advertisement in the popular issue.