DP

There's been a lot of controversy recently over whether it was appropriate for race-car driver Danica Patrick to pose for FHM magazine. 

Some say that she has enough talent (she placed 4th at the Indy 500) and shouldn't have posed, while others say that if she can get money for it, there's no harm in it.

As a heterosexual, American male, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that I belong to the latter group.  I think that by posing in the magazine, she has broadened her fan base by reaching out to an audience who otherwise might never have watched race-car driving.  For those who say it cheapens the sport by essentially reducing her to a sexual object instead of the skillful driver that she is, are also grossly misinformed.

Her decision to pose is a great marketing move, and has the same effect as being in a commercial for the race.  It attracts viewers, and potentially brings in a new audience.

As Dan Wheldon (the winner of the Indy 500) put it, "If there were 32 guys and one hot girl, I would put the hot girl on the cover [of Sports Illustrated] too.  You'd be crazy not to."

Danica Patrick is almost the new hotness.  She still has tough competition with Britney and Carrie though.