Sarah Fisher
- Note: Sarah Fisher is also the name of a character in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.
Sarah Marie Fisher (born October 4, 1980) is a race car driver originally from Commercial Point, Ohio. As a child, she raced quarter midgets and go-karts, winning several championships. From 1995–99, she raced in the sprint car and midget ranks, driving in several series, including the World of Outlaws and USAC.
Indy Racing League
Fisher's debut in the Indy Racing League came in 1999 and her first full season came in 2000. In the 2000 Indianapolis 500, Fisher became only the third woman to start an Indianapolis 500. She raced in the IRL full time through the 2003 season and made one more start in the 2004 Indianapolis 500.
Fisher was voted the series' most popular driver for three straight years from 2001 to 2003. She also set several milestones. As of 2006, her best finish of second at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2001 is the highest finish ever by a woman in a major North American open-wheel race. She also won the MBNA pole position in the Belterra Casino Indy 300 at the Kentucky Speedway on 21 August, 2002, becoming the first woman to win pole position in a major North American open-wheel race.
Fisher's achievements have since been overshadowed somewhat by Danica Patrick, who won three poles in her rookie IRL season. However, Patrick races for the powerful Rahal-Letterman team and has yet to match Fisher's top finishes of second and third. Patrick's best finish is fourth.
On August 3rd, 2006 Fisher landed a one race deal to drive in the August 13th race at Kentucky Speedway. With the entry of Danica Patrick for the race it will mark the second time two women have competed in the same IRL race. The first time was the 2000 Indianapolis 500 where Sarah Fisher and Lyn St. James both competited. [[1]]
Indy 500 results
Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Dallara | Oldsmobile | 19th | 31st |
2001 | Dallara | Oldsmobile | 15th | 31st |
2002 | G-Force | Infiniti | 9th | 24th |
2003 | Dallara | Chevrolet | 24th | 31st |
2004 | Dallara | Toyota | 19th | 21st |
NASCAR
In 2005, Fisher shifted her focus to NASCAR, running in the West Series with sponsorship from Domino's Pizza, NAPA belts and hoses, and support from legendary NASCAR owner Richard Childress. Her 2006 plans are unknown and her desire to run the 2006 Indianapolis 500 went unfulfilled, however, she participated in a match race at Stafford Speedway in Connecticut on July 11, 2006, her first race in 9 months, finishing last among the cast of 4 "All-Star Drivers".
As of late July, 2006, it appears that she wants to quit NASCAR and attempt to go back into Indy car racing again for the 2007 season. [2]
External links
- Official site
- She's Back...Sarah Fisher Returns to IndyCar Series at Kentucky Speedway
- Her "driving card" from the NASCAR West Division site
- Girls Go Tech Website (Sponsor for her 2003 Indy 500 campaign)