Danica Patrick looks beautiful in her photo spread for this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

But while the magazine had no quams posing this racecar driver in a bikini, across the hood of a car, or slightly bent over, it apparently drew the line at the ever-controversial lower back tattoo.

It’s known in some circles as a “tramp stamp,” and a Sports Illustrated spokesman broke the BS meter in his explanation for why Patrick’s was airbrushed out:

“The Swimsuit Issue emphasizes natural beauty. The freckles are left on and, in this case, the tattoos came off.”

Should Sports Illustrated have airbrushed out Danica Patrick’s tatoo?

So, just to summarize: a tattoo is too racy. But Brooklyn Decker nude, with nothing but body paint, is acceptable?

Don’t get us wrong. We’re happy about the latter, but shocked about the former.

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