Festival of Scotch Shots: Sarah Fisher Retires, Ed Carpenter Joins Team

Sarah Fisher announced Monday that she's retring from IndyCar driving and that Ed Carpenter will take over her #67 Dollar General car at Sarah Fisher Racing.

Sarah will focus on being co-owner of Sarah Fisher Racing.

For now, Ed will drive in nine events, St. Pete, Indianapolis, Texas, Iowa, Mid-Ohio, New Hampshire, Baltimore, Kentucky, and the TBA season finale.

The decision likely comes as a bit of a disappointment to Sarah's many fans (myself included), but at the same time we're thankful for being able to watch her race for more than a decade in IndyCar.

When I interviewed Sarah at Chicagoland this year, it was pretty clear she was contemplating retiring as a driver and focusing full time on being co-owner of Sarah Fisher Racing with her husband, Andy O'Gara. She seemed to be growing rapidly into her role as team owner, and also seemed to get more enjoyment from that than from driving of late.

Plus she and Andy want to start a family, and for female drivers that means getting out of the firesuit for an extended period. Sarah said then she wasn't sure of the timing of the move. (Interview story here.)

At best I though we'd get one more year out of Sarah, a bit of a farewell tour, but today she announced she's done. I was glad I got to watch her race in person one last time last time at my favorite tracks, Chicagoland, which was probably one of her best races in years. (Race notes here.)

Congrats to Sarah on a fabulous career as a driver, especially when measured in class and role model-hood for scores of young girls. Word to my boy Ed Carpenter, as my solid second-fav driver, there's nobody I'd rather have take Sarah's spot then Ed.

SFR News release below:

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. and GOODLETTSVILLE, TN. (November 29, 2010)­­-Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) and Dollar General announced today that Dollar General has renewed its support of SFR for the 2011 IZOD IndyCar ® Series season. The schedule will include competition in nine events, consisting of both road course and oval venues.

"SFR has been a great partner for us and our brand," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "We are excited about extending our sponsorship for the upcoming racing season."

Sarah Fisher also announced today that after 25 years in the driver's seat, she will be stepping out of the car to focus on being a team owner. Well-known IZOD IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter will take the wheel of the yellow, No. 67, Dollar General machine.

"This change in my career is a direction I have been thinking about very hard. The timing is perfect for the strategy of SFR in its future endeavors. To have the support of all our partners in this direction is incredible. I am glad to have the support of our partners, including Dollar General, who have led us to where we are today. I know this team has what it takes to perform and I am hoping with the decision to put Ed in the seat, that we can do just that. By stepping out of the seat, I will be able to spend more time growing this team in the right directions both on and off track."

Carpenter, the new driver of the Dollar General No. 67, is an Indiana native who began his racing career in 1989 driving cars such as sprint cars, midgets, and silver crown cars on the short tracks of America. This background, which is very similar to SFR team owner, Sarah Fisher, was what started the friendship between Carpenter and Fisher. He has captured a pole position, two podium finishes, and has claimed 26 top-ten results thus far in his IZOD IndyCar Series career.

"Sarah is a trailblazer and remains a role model," said Dreiling. "We are proud of her record and we wish her well as she starts her career as a full-time owner. We also look forward to cheering on Ed as he drives the Dollar General car to victory."

"I am so honored to have the opportunity to come drive for SFR and Dollar General," said an enthusiastic Carpenter. "I have been friends with Sarah and Andy for a long time, and am really looking forward to working with their team. Sarah and I come from such similar backgrounds; I know that it will be a joy to work with her team. Sarah has had a great career and has done an amazing job growing SFR each year. I am confident that together we can continue to improve the results not only on the track, but off of the track as well!"

SFR's complete 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule:

March 28 -- Streets of St. Petersburg, FLA.

May 29 -- Indianapolis Motor Speedway

June 11 -- Texas Motor Speedway

June 25 -- Iowa Speedway

August 7 -- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

August 14 -- New Hampshire Motor Speedway

September 4 -- Streets of Baltimore

October 2 -- Kentucky Speedway

October 16 -- TBA

Comments

[Travis R]

One thing I like about Sarah is that she really does seem to put "making the right decision" before "taking care of her ego", which is a problem a lot of owner-drivers in racing history seem to have a hard time with. She seems very humble and honest with herself, and that's very admirable.

I think she is doing a good thing for herself and SFR here. She'll be able to concentrate on running the team and will have a decent driver behind the wheel. Hopefully, the sponsorship arrangements continue and the chemistry is good.

I assume that since there was no mention of a second car, they will be a one-car team next year? Maybe I missed something in regards to the Jay Howard car?

It's also interesting how they are racing a mixture of ovals and non-ovals, when they seemed to concentrate primarily on ovals over the last couple of years.

[Mike from Ames]

Mr. Pressdog, I'll be joining the 67 Posse at Iowa Speedway next year. Can't wait.

[Mike]

You know, it is always hard for a driver to make the decision to step out of the car. Sarah is a class act and I doubt anyone would say " you should stay in the car and drive girl". Good luck to her and her team in the coming 2011 season.

[Jim Bob]

Sarah is about family first. And for her, its time to start a family with Andy. Don't be surprised at all, if by May, we hear about Sarah and pregnancy. Maybe the first pregnant team owner in Indy 500 history?

Good move by SFR. Ed likely brings at least one good chassis with him and a lot of data/setup info that SFR was lacking. Plus this likely frees up SFR to put a quality 2nd car program for Indy together, with the other equipment they already have in the stable.

Another step in the growth of SFR, looking to become a full-time team in 2012.

And one last salute to Sarah Fisher. The true modern-day pioneer of female racers in Indy Car Racing. She was here before the others and will be here long before they are gone.

[Dylan]

It's kinda sad to lose one of the 5 active Americans... at least good things appear to be happening for Kimball, Rahal, and Hilderbrand, and now Ed's got 9 races.

Hopefully SFR can move full time in 2012, with the new equipment, and maybe get some decent funding to be a competitive team.

[B-man]

I'm sorry to see SF leave the driver's seat. She is still a reasonably strong competitor on the ovals, and I don't like the double standard that women must give up driving for "family" while men certainly don't. (For example, Ed Carpenter has kids. Isn't it reckless of him to put his life in danger by driving? And shouldn't Tony Kanaan retire now to focus on his son? Yeah, only childless men should be allowed to drive...) SF would have really made a statement by being the first mother to compete in the Indy 500. Now THAT would get the attention of sponsors and fans! Oh, well, that day will just have to wait for some other driver. Danica?

The nine race schedule for SFR also shows how the non-North American races really do a disservice to the smaller teams. That automatically knocks them out of contention for a top 10 finish in total points at season's end. If IndyCar wants such races it should make sure that all teams can get there.

Finally, Ed, hit some go-kart and road courses this off season! Practice! Let's see SFR post some decent road course finishes in 2011.

[pressdog]

I don't think any woman would want to drive a race car while pregnant (at any stage) which means at least one season out of thecar, but after the baby is born there's certainly no reason why a woman couldn't come back to racing. Sarah may still do that. Hard to say. One-off at an Indy 500 in 2012 or later? Could happen. I think more than anything she's just ready to move on to being an owner. She's been racing since age 5, after all.

[Tom M.]

I know you're uber stoked about this....and I am too. I just hope this doesn't turn into another bitchslapping year and sarah and some other folks can prevent it!!