Back in the race : IRL driver Fisher makes rounds at Stonebridge
Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008
Indy Racing League driver Sarah Fisher is used to revving her race car beyond speeds of 230 mph.
She had to make do with a considerably less exciting means of conveyance Friday afternoon at Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club, where she plodded around the property in a golf cart. The staid environs of golf provided a backdrop for Fisher to talk about the dynamic world of IRL racing at the Vendors Fore Education golf tournament, which raises money for scholarships to the Sam M. Walton College of Business on the University of Arkansas campus.
Fisher, 27, made the rounds in a golf cart that prominently displayed her No. 67. She was there on behalf of Firestone, the IRL’s sole tire provider and a title sponsor of the golf tournament.
Fisher’s been a fixture on the IRL circuit since 2000, when she become the youngest woman, 19, to race at the Indianapolis 500. She ascended to the IRL from the sprint car and midget ranks.
In 2002, the Ohio native was the first woman in North American motor sports history to win the pole position for a major-league open-wheel race. She captured the pole at the Kentucky Speedway en route to setting the track qualifying record (221. 390 mph ).
From 2001 to 2003, fans and crew members elected Fisher as the IRL’s most popular driver, and she’s the first woman to finish runner-up in a major-league openwheel race (2001; Homestead Miami Speedway ).
Fisher formed her own team at the start of this year, creating Sarah Fisher Racing with her husband Andy O’Gara, who also serves as her chief mechanic. The couple, wed in September of last year, put their life savings into getting the team started.
Sponsorship troubles brought the fledgling enterprise to the brink financially. In May, Fisher’s primary sponsor, ResQ energy drink, reneged its commitment. Fisher’s team had to scramble for a replacement sponsor and solicit money from friends and fans to compete at this year’s Indy 500.
“ Our primary sponsor didn’t pay us, ” Fisher said. “ It was point blank. We had everything. We did the announcement. They came to the shop. We did a great big deal for them. They just didn’t pay when it came down to it. ”
The car buying Web site www. text 4 cars. com sponsored Fisher at the Indy 500. Her No. 67 car will be adorned with a new sponsor when she races again at the Kentucky Speedway Aug. 9. It was recently announced that Dollar General has signed on as Fisher’s primary sponsor. After a year beset by turmoil, Fisher said she was excited to have a trustworthy backer.
“ They’re a reputable company, ” Fisher said. “ They’ve already sent in [the money ]. We’re set to go, and our partnership starts off really well that way. You just have to deal with some people that aren’t good. On the plus side, you get to deal with some really good people. It just happened that we had the bad ones first. ”
Notwithstanding the sponsorship difficulties, Fisher said her team had planned to compete in only three races this year. In addition to the Indy 500, where she finished 30 th after colliding with Tony Kanaan on the 106 th lap, and the Meijer 300 in Kentucky, Fisher will also run in the Chicagoland 300 Sept. 7.
She and her husband directed their life savings toward the risky endeavor of team ownership, but it still operates on a shoestring when compared to the competition. While well-heeled outfits such as Penske and Rahal Letterman employ more than 100 people, Fisher’s support crew consists of five full-time employees.
The Indianapolis Star reported the couple mortgaged their home to compete at the Indy 500. Fisher said that kind of commitment is common for any new company trying to gain traction.
“ It’s a startup year, ” Fisher said. “ Every company that goes in their first year invests everything they have and it takes risks. This is no different in my mind. ”
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