updated 1:41 p.m. ET May 24, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Danica Patrick dragged into the room, her weary eyes hidden behind thick, black sunglasses.

A gaggle of reporters jockeyed for position around her chair, eagerly awaiting the annual State of Danica address. Maybe she would provide an endorsement in the presidential race. Or come up with a solution for those high gas prices. Or let us in on how she maintains a figure that graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, muscling into supermodel territory.

If one wanted to talk with pole-sitter Scott Dixon, step right up. It was just as easy getting an audience with past Indianapolis 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon. More than a few of the 33 starters in Sunday's race sat alone in their chairs, probably wondering why they bothered to show up for their mandated media appearance.

Welcome to the Danica 500.

Much like Tiger Woods in golf or Mike Tyson in his boxing prime, Patrick is a sporting figure who casts a full-time eclipse over her rivals.

It doesn't matter if they win more races, claim more championships or prove themselves more talented. Danica Inc. is an unstoppable force, carrying a still-struggling sport on her 5-foot-2, 100-pound frame, straddling the line between sexuality and athleticism to create a brand that has something for everyone: little girls who dream of becoming racers themselves, moms who see her as a worthy role model, middle-aged men who know of little more than her racy photos.

"She's one of the hottest commodities in the country right now, and not just in motor sports," said Marty Reid, who'll call the race for ABC. "Everybody wants to know what's going to happen with her."

Patrick's first career victory, in Japan last month, ratcheted up the hype even more. She's more than just a pretty face. She's also a pretty good driver.

"I didn't want her to become someone like Anna Kournikova," said Wheldon, referring to the retired tennis player who dominated the Internet with her stunning looks but never won a singles title on the WTA Tour. "I like that about Danica. She was able to go out there and drive to a win."

Not that Patrick has ever shied away from showing her off-the-track attributes. Before she even made it to IndyCar, she posed in a men's magazine wearing little more than a bra and panties. She gained more exposure (so to speak) by donning a little white bikini for SI's swimsuit issue. She also did a highly provocative ad that was teased during this year's Super Bowl broadcast but only appeared in full on the Internet.

The 26-year-old Patrick doesn't worry about offending, and it's hard to argue with all the fame and fortune it has brought her.

"She is, by a big chunk, the highest-earning driver in Indy cars. By a big chunk," said racer-turned-broadcaster Eddie Cheever. "Do you think she's wrong for doing all that? I don't. Good for her."

Just look where Patrick is in relation to another of the three women who will take the green flag Sunday.

Sarah Fisher was poised to be the first big female star in racing when she came along while still in her teens. But she's always driven for weaker teams and had to scrape together her own operation for this year's 500, finally landing a sponsor just three days before the race.

Slideshow   Danica Daze IndyCar star has become one of the racing world's biggest stars. more photos

"At least I'm not going to have to live in a box," Fisher lamented. "I shouldn't lose my house over this."

Why did Patrick become a pitchman's dream and land a ride with Andretti Green Racing, one of IndyCar's strongest teams, while Fisher struggled just to find enough money to race?

There are obvious differences in their backgrounds. Most notably, Patrick landed a financial backer in her teens, allowing her to go off to Europe for a career-boosting apprenticeship. She's clearly a more versatile driver than Fisher, who came up through the U.S. sprint car ranks with little road racing experience.

There are other contrasts, as well. Long before Danica mania, Fisher was selling herself as a wholesome Midwesterner, aligning herself with the Girl Scouts and reading books to schoolchildren. Contrast that with Patrick, perched provocatively over the grill of a car while wearing red leather boots — and little else.

Here's a news flash: Sex sells.

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