Sarah Fisher gets new sponsor, plans 2 IRL races

[July 17, 2008]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Sarah Fisher plans to drive in two IndyCar Series races after lining up a new primary sponsor.

Fisher announced Wednesday that Dollar General would sponsor a car fielded by the team she owns for the Meijer 300 at the Kentucky Speedway on Aug. 9 and the Chicagoland 300 on Sept. 7. In 2002, Fisher became the first woman to start from the pole in a major U.S. open-wheel race at the Kentucky Speedway.

"It's great to return to Kentucky with my own team," she said. "I've done well there in the past, and I believe I can do just as well or better with my own team behind me."

The 27-year-old Ohio native has long been among the series' most-popular drivers, but her only race this year has been the Indianapolis 500 because of a lack of sponsorship.

In May, her initial sponsors backed out of their deals after Fisher and her husband poured their life savings into Sarah Fisher Racing. She found new sponsors for the Indy 500 and fans pitched in, donating more than $50,000 to help Fisher, but her car was taken out in a crash on lap 106.

Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's CEO, said the company was excited about sponsoring Fisher.

"Sarah has had a remarkable history-making journey in IndyCar racing, which has inspired many, both in and outside of the sport," he said.

[Associated Press]

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