by FOXSports.com

The photo in queston

Photos: How obvious was the SI airbrush job? Check out this side-by-side photo comparing last year's shot and this year's shot and judge for yourself.

Eight years after Hoop Magazine controversially airbrushed one of Iverson's tattoos for its cover shot, Sports Illustrated has airbrushed Indy Racing's biggest star.

The victim?

Patrick's American Flag tattoo on the small of her back.

The primary difference in the two cases is that Sports Illustrated had Patrick's consent when it airbrushed her tattoo for its Swimsuit Edition. Hoop Magazine did its photoshopping without Iverson knowing.

"Danica is aware of the edits and is comfortable with the final photos," Patrick's representative told CNBC's Darren Rovell in a story posted on CNBC's Web site.

Sports Illustrated, which acknowledged the airbrushing, did not say why the editorial decision was made when asked by CNBC. Patrick's tattoo did appear in last year's Swimsuit issue.