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As "Danicamania" continues to catapult America's most racy female driver into the spotlight, the sexy Indy car driver has most recently made the news for a rumored and controversial jump from Indy League races to the famed tracks of NASCAR.

Born Danica Sue Patrick in Beloit, Wisconsin on March 25, 1982, the Indy League racing sensation began her career in kart racing at age 10.

At age 16, her professional career began in the U.K. when she joined the European racing circuit.

Eventually, she worked her way back to the U.S. by teaming up with the Toyota Atlantic Championship and, ultimately, the Indy Racing League.

Becoming one of a handful of women in a very short list of female race car drivers, Patrick made history in 2005 by finishing fourth in the Indy 500 with the best finish for a woman in Indianapolis 500 history.

Coupling her racing prowess with sexy curves and photogenic smile, Patrick soon become the subject of a photo spread devoted to her in the 2008 edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and has since been awarded the the title of most "sexy female athlete" by lingerie company Victoria's Secret.

Danica Patrick admittedly doesn't think about being female in a male-dominated sport and admirably displays a straightforward "just do it" attitude that has endeared her to male and female fans alike.

In 2007, she had her best shot yet of winning the Indy 500 - racing alongside Sarah Fisher and Milka Duno - the first female trio ever to compete in Indianapolis. In April 2008, Danica Patrick made history yet again by becoming the first female Indy winner when she beat out favorite Helio Castroneves by 5 seconds to take the Indy Japan 300.

In 2009, all eyes were on the diminutive driver as she once again battled the boys for a shot at becoming the first female winner of the Indy 500, coming in third for the best showing by a female in Indy 500 history.

Moving to NASCAR

Recent rumors about a move to NASCAR made more headlines in late 2009, with buzz surrounding Patrick's discussions with NASCAR champ Dale Ernhardt Jr. about signing with his team sometime in 2010.

Speculation turned into action when it was announced in December that Patrick was scheduled to race at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona on February 6, 2010 in preparation for her upcoming part-time schedule in ARCA and NASCAR. Her debut was ill-fated, however, after her involvement in a 12-car wreck resulting in heavy damage to the right-front fender of her GoDaddy.com Chevrolet.

Undaunted, Patrick is now rumored to be making the jump to NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series in 2012. The ultimate goal, according to recent reports, is a fullt-time NASCAR career beginning 2013.

Away from the track, Danica Patrick currently calls Phoenix, Arizona her home where she lives with her husband, physical therapist and fitness trainer Paul Hospenthal.

More about Danica Patrick around the Web:

The Official Site of Danica Patrick - Check out the latest schedule, current news, car specs, a personal profile, vital stats and career highlights dating back to 1992, picture galleries, wallpapers.

IndyCar.com- Danica Patrick - News features, pictures, vital stats, career highlights, video clips.

Danica Patrick Photos - A hot & 'racy' collection of publicity photos, magazine covers, personal appearances and candid shots.

Danica Patrick - Wikipedia - A full biography, picture, career highlights, related links.

European Car: Danica Patrick - Archived interview with the racing star chronicling her career up to 2003.

The Woman of Bernie's Dreams - Archived feature story from 2000 that accurately predicts the rise of Danica Patrick on the racing circuit.

also see in Sports Idols-> Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Jeff Gordon | Jimmie Johnson | Tony Stewart