Who will be NASCAR's Danica Patrick?

Danica Patrick has set the Indy Racing League (IRL) on it's head this year. As a rookie she has single-handedly put the IRL back in the spotlight. The 2005 Indianapolis 500 enjoyed a massive 40 percent spike in television ratings as a result of the incredible media spectacle surrounding this rookie. Why is Danica Patrick special? Who are the current women drivers in NASCAR?