Sarah Fisher

Before the modern-day whirlwind of "Danica Mania" took the Indy Racing League (IRL) by storm, there was "Fisher Frenzy," an era of excitement surrounding a 19-year-old racer named Sarah Fisher of Commercial Point, Ohio. Becoming one of the youngest drivers to pass the IRL Rookie Test in 1999, Fisher quickly set a plethora of firsts for women in motorsports and the IndyCar Series, while paving the way for future breakthroughs by female IRL stars such as Danica Patrick and Milka Duno. By 2000, she became the youngest women to compete in the Indianapolis 500. That same year, Fisher, a three-time IndyCar Most Popular Driver award winner (2001-03), became the first women to stand on the winner's podium, finishing third at Kentucky Speedway. Two years later, Fisher made history with a runner-up finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Later that season, she set another historic first by capturing the pole at Kentucky Speedway, the first for women in a major-league open-wheel race. Today, Fisher, the fastest woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and first to run a complete IndyCar Series schedule in 2001, continues to build upon her legacy. In 2008, the former Teays Valley High School honor student proudly announced the formation of Sarah Fisher Racing, a team she operates in tandem with her husband Andy O'Gara and her father-in-law John O'Gara. Racing in the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, Fisher, a Beech Grove resident, joined her hero Janet Guthrie as the second female owner/driver all-time to compete in the 500-mile race last May while also tying Lyn St. James for the most Indy 500 starts for a woman at seven. Taking time from her demanding schedule as Sarah Fisher Racing preps for the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500, Fisher corresponded with VYPE Associate Managing Editor Rich Torres, discussing her career, her race team and her aspirations both as a driver and an owner. Torres: You officially began your racing career at the age of 5, piloting a quarter-midget race car. How influential were those days on your future in open-wheel racing? Fisher: It was really important to learn the basics so young. You really are able to adapt very quickly at that age. What I know now, that I learned then, is just a reaction on instinct. Torres: How beneficial was it for you to have your father, Dave, a former sprint car racer, work as your crew chief early in your career? How much did racing bring you and your family together? Fisher: My dad is very intelligent when it comes to taking a problem and finding the simplest solution. So, whether it was teaching me about racing or taxes, he was a big part of why my common sense developed young. Being a mechanical engineer, his strongest influence was on teaching me how to work through a problem in a simple, non-emotional manner. Racing was our hobby, our career, our lifestyle and still remains our everything. We became close because not only were we a supportive family, we were a team. Torres: With your mother, Reba, being an educator, how much emphasis was placed on academics in your household? In your opinion, how crucial is it for today's young student-athletes to place equal priority on both sports and education? Fisher: Emphasis? It was the only reason I was allowed to race. If it weren't for great grades, I wouldn't have been in the seat. Academics are a tough balance for an athlete. But it has been very important that I had a solid base of education, or owning my own team would have been a failure. Torres: Another start in the Indy 500 will put you ahead of Lyn St. James for most starts by a female racer? What would this honor mean to you? Fisher: It means I am getting older! I think the honor lies in the ability to compete for my own team in this start. To have Sarah Fisher Racing survive this long has been an accomplishment to all our team members. Let's just hope we can win on our own as well. Torres: Your career is highlighted by various firsts. One of the most ground-breaking firsts occurred last year when you became the first female owner/driver in IndyCar Series history, competing in the Indy 500 and two other races. What does this distinction mean to you? Fisher: It means a lot to both my husband and me. By meeting in racing, you could only assume we were going to go somewhere that a car was involved. I would have to say I am the most proud of what we have pulled off. There are numerous pictures that scatter our house of that day. And I certainly hope that being an owner, exclusively, is where I am headed next. Torres: What has the experience of being an owner/driver been like for you? How much commitment and sacrifice did it take to make this dream a reality? Fisher: I gave everything to the extent that retirement is now out the window. But I look around the shop (in Indianapolis) and see where we are at now and don't think twice that I made the wrong decision. It was a time management crisis at first, but I think I've got a handle on it now. Torres: For several athletes, numbers hold special meaning. What does No. 67 (your IndyCar number) mean to you? Fisher: It was my midget (car) number. We won a lot in midgets, so I am waiting on that to bring us some luck here. The reason we picked it was because it fit better than the other options on the tail tank of a midget/sprint car. Otherwise, I would have picked No. 9. (That was my sprint, go-kart and father's racing number). Torres: Throughout your career, you have been active in charity work and community service efforts in the state of Indiana. In your opinion, how imperative is it to "give back," especially for today's youth? Fisher: The community has given to me all these years, so I only see fit to help out when I can. It's very important to spend time and effort toward the people who make our city/country run. Everyone has a gift of giving, but it's only those that practice it that see goodwill. And not everyone has the luck to be fortunate, so help them get to where they need to go, you never know the potential. Torres: What were your thoughts when Andretti Green Racing's Danica Patrick became the first female driver to win an IndyCar Series race? Fisher: Honestly, who wouldn't have wanted it to be them? I felt the same. But it has helped in the sense that people now believe a female driver can win, and that helps us in the big picture. Like a big check mark in the box of to-dos. Torres: Having already achieved so much in your career, what would an IndyCar Series win mean to you? Fisher: Ha. That would be the ultimate! I'd have to fight Andy off to take me into retirement early then. But I can't wait till the day when I can refresh all those pole pictures with a win picture! Torres: As a driver, what is the definitive goal you hope to accomplish before you retire from racing? As an owner, what would the pinnacle be for you? Fisher: I'm going to win a race. And then as an owner, I want my driver to have multiple race wins and to aspire it to be at the Indy 500. -