“We’re pleased and excited to welcome Sarah to the team for the Indianapolis 500,” said team co-owner Dennis Reinbold. “We’ve developed a great chemistry as a team through our recent experience at Nazareth, and we’re looking for even better things to happen during the month of May.”
Voted the Indy Racing League’s Most Popular driver in 2001, Fisher substituted for the injured Buhl at the Firestone 225 at Nazareth (Pa) and delivered a strong fourth place finish.
“Sarah brings exceptional talent to the race team,” said driver/co-owner
Robbie Buhl. “We hope to further her development as a driver and reap the
benefits from the synergies of a two-car team. I know she’s been anxious to
get on the track this week, and we’re confident in our team effort to get up
to speed.” “I am very excited and honored to be a part of such a first-class team,” said Fisher. We have built an extremely strong foundation of support from Allegra and our associate sponsor partners in only two weeks time, and everyone has worked extremely hard to make this happen. The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world and I’m really looking forward to crossing the yard of bricks on May 26 as the representative of our “team” effort.”
Aventis Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of “Allegra”, is a primary co-sponsor of Buhl’s #24 entry, and has been affiliated with Buhl’s racing career for more than 12 years.
Associate sponsors Purex, Raybestos and locally based airline ATA, will also support Fisher’s team.
"Sarah's participation in the 2002 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race intensifies the competition in what is already being viewed as the most exciting field in memory", said Jeff Fernandez, Assistant Vice President - Marketing Partnerships for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Her broad marketing and fan appeal is reflected by the support the team is receiving from an international pharmaceutical company, the U.S. based leaders in brake manufacturing and laundry detergent and one of Indianapolis' fastest growing companies."
Currently the IRL’s only female driver, Fisher grew up on the dirt tracks and short tracks in the Midwest, prior to racing in the IRL for the past two seasons. She became the youngest woman and the third youngest person ever to qualify for her first Indianapolis 500 in 2000. In addition to her fourth place finish at Nazareth for DRR in her only IRL race this season, Sarah has had best finishes for second at Homestead-Miami in 2000, and a third place effort at the Kentucky Speedway in 2001.