ESPN IndyCar

She is the IndyCar Series poster driver and now she's got a book.

Danica Patrick will be one busy woman in May, even without her commitment to race in the 90th Indianapolis 500.

Patrick isn't due back on a track until practice commences May 9, but she'll stay in the news until arriving in the Rahal Letterman Racing garage.

Patrick is on tour to promote her autobiography "Danica Patrick: Crossing the Line," which came out Tuesday.

"Writing a book is a situation that I didn't think would come up so early in my life," said Patrick, 24. "I'm imagining that people think it's quite funny that I have a book out about my life that was finished when I was 23. I guess some people thought I had a story to tell, and I do."

Patrick is coming to the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn., for the Car Wash treatment on Friday (the Car Wash puts an athlete through multiple interviews on multiple platforms). Patrick is expected to appear on the Mike & Mike radio program as well as take part in a live chat on ESPN.com. Patrick is also scheduled to appear on Pardon the Interruption on Thursday.

Patrick was recently included in People magazine's "World's Most Beautiful People" issue that hit newsstands April 28. Patrick joins celebrities Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba, Terrance Howard, James Blunt and Beyonce, among others. One is Vision Racing co-owner and "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey. Actress/social crusader Angelina Jolie is on the cover.

"Danica Patrick: Crossing the Line," was written with Laura Morton in the offseason, and chronicles Patrick's life with tales from the track and insights into her personal life.

Larry Foyt to give Indy 500 a go

Larry Foyt will enter his third straight Indianapolis 500 driving for his famous father A.J. Foyt. The 29-year-old from Houston will drive the No. 41 Honda-powered Panoz.

With second generation drivers Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and third generation driver Marco Andretti also set to compete, the 90th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will feature some of the historic surnames of its past.

"I'm very excited about coming back to Indy," said Foyt. "It's been a bittersweet experience the last two years because I felt like I've had great months of May leading up to the race, but I've had accidents on the big day. It's an amazingly difficult adjustment coming from the stock cars to the Indy cars, but I've learned a great deal, and I feel very comfortable in the open-wheel cars. I'm glad my Dad has the belief in my ability that I can get the job done. I'm looking forward to a great month."

Since Foyt has not driven an Indy car since last year's 500, he'll take a refresher test May 8 during the Rookie Orientation Program (ROP). Once he's completed the test, which is the final two phases of the ROP speed test, he will continue practicing for the remainder of the day.

Felipe Giaffone will begin practicing for the 500 in the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda when the track opens for all competitors Tuesday, May 9th. It will be the second straight Indy 500 that Giaffone and Foyt race as teammates. Last year Giaffone started 33rd and finished 15th in his first drive for A.J. Foyt. Larry was involved in an accident on lap 15. He sustained a lower back injury which sidelined him for six weeks, but has fully recovered.

Roth intends to graduate to IndyCar Series

Marty Roth recently was married, recently upgraded his pilot's license and recently sold his Indy Pro Series equipment.

The latter has the most bearing on his auto racing future. The Toronto native said he will move up to the IndyCar Series full time, beginning with the 90th Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Roth has competed in the past two 500-mile races, and has entered the No. 25 Roth Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone this year. Practice begins May 9.

"It's been a very busy first quarter," Roth said. "Making the decision to move to the IndyCar Series will allow our team to focus only on one car and one series. This year, Honda, being the sole engine provider, has certainly reshuffled the deck, thereby making it economically viable to run in races other than Indy 500.

"This is the first time in 90 years a spec engine will be competing in the Indy 500. I think this will be a fantastic opportunity for a lot of teams and drivers."

Roth became the first Indy Pro Series owner-driver to move up to the IndyCar Series when he qualified for the Indianapolis 500 in 2004. He started 32nd and finished 24th. Last year, he placed 31st after handling issues forced him to retire after 47 laps.

Roth formed Roth Racing before the 2004 Indy Pro Series season after purchasing the equipment of reigning series champion Panther Racing (which had Mark Taylor behind the wheel). Last year, he had a career-best second place at Chicagoland Speedway to complement 12 other top-10 finishes.

In three Indy Pro Series races this year, he started fifth and finished ninth on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval and started 14th and finished 12th on the St. Petersburg, Fla., temporary street course.

Early in his career, Roth competed in various classes of motorcycles.

Cheap Trick signed up for Pole Day gig

Rock band Cheap Trick will headline a concert on Pole Day for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, May 13, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The concert will take place on the Miller Lite Stage in the infield, adjacent to Turn 3 of the IMS oval. It is free for all ticket holders for Pole Day, when the inside front-row starting spot for the race will be decided.

Cheap Trick, formed in 1973 in Rockford, Ill., has produced numerous rock hits, including "Surrender," "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police" and "Don't Be Cruel." The concert is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.