Fisher's Perseverance Pays Off With Solid Qualifying Spot

Sarah Fisher has endured the challenges of being an owner/driver at the Indianapolis 500 for the first time this month and qualified May 17 at 221.246 mph.

Indy 500 Notes

By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Saturday, May 17, 2008

"Relief," Sarah Fisher replied with a ubiquitous smile when asked for her assessment of the qualification run that put the No. 67 Sarah Fisher Racing car solidly in the field for the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

Fisher will start 22nd - one position lower than last year with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - in her seventh 500-Mile Race. But it's not the starting position that's all-encompassing, but veteran Fisher - who is a team owner for the first time - will be in the 33-car field.

"We're in, and we can keep moving forward," said Fisher, who posted a four-lap average of 221.246 mph. "Only having one car, we think about what the most tragic thing that could happen. It's nice to know that we don't have to work on those on-the-edge setups anymore. We've just been putting our heads down and plowing forward.

"It's not as fast as we wanted it to be, but we'll take it. We'll take a good, solid entrant, and just keep working on our car."

Fisher unveiled formal plans for the race team - a family business with father-in-law John O'Gara the team manager, husband Andy O'Gara the chief mechanic and parents involved in various capacities - in February with the intent to compete in three races beginning at Indianapolis. Though the announced primary sponsor of the car hasn't delivered, expenses for the month are covered.

The long-term goal is to be a full-season operation, but that takes a consortium of sponsors.

"We're about three-fourths of the way to being comfortable (with funding)," Fisher said. "This month, I have been wearing two hats, which is something that is new to me, but the challenge has been inspiring. It's been very stressful with plenty of hours to get the job done, but we are persevering. Just this past week, we've brought on board IUPUI, ProLiance Energy, Hartman Oil, Royal Spa and Direct Supply. We haven't replaced our primary sponsor yet, but we are actively pursuing new partners to add to our family.

"The biggest part of this that we are most proud of is knowing that we took the risk to start this team. We were guaranteed to do this by a primary sponsor contract that has since fallen through. As disappointing as that is, we are committed to finish what we started. We are now safely in the show, and that is something our entire team contributed to."

Motorsports fans also have been supportive of three-time IRL Crew Most Popular Driver Fisher.

"I've got fans coming up to me and giving me $20s, $50s, some gave me $100," Fisher said. "It's just so appreciated."

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A.J. Foyt Racing teammates find speed: Darren Manning is solidly in the field at 14th with a four-lap average of 222.430 mph (2:41.8486) in the No. 14 ABC Supply car. His previous best starting position was 15th, for Ganassi Racing in 2004 and A.J. Foyt Racing in 2007.

Jeff Simmons, who was named five days earlier to drive the No. 41 ABC Supply car and recorded 95 laps preceding his qualifications attempt, had a four-lap average of 221.103 mph, good for 24th.

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Watch Andretti, book a trip: Roth Racing announced that travel booking service 1-800-Las-Vegas has come on board as the primary sponsor of the No. 24 car driven at Indy by John Andretti, who qualified 18th with a four-lap average of 221.550 mph. … The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been declared a "StormReady Supporter" by the National Weather Service. Designation is accorded by demonstrating a weather preparedness plan, weather monitoring capabilities, redundant warning reception and information dissemination capabilities, among other requirements. … Karle Schaefer, 21, an elementary education major at Franklin College from Franklin, Ind., was selected the 500 Festival Queen.

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Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.

Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, May 25. Online orders can be made at any time. Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.


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