Yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sarah Fisher confirmed her driver plans for 2012 by announcing the signing of a three year contract with American Josef Newgarden, the 2011 Indy Lights champion. The news by all accounts, was great, Sarah Fisher Racing is a small team of 17 employees and literally started from the ground up in 2008.
The even better news was that Fisher announced her team is rebranding as Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, (SFHR). The partnership of Wink Hartman and Sarah Fisher dates back to 2008, but the financial involvement of Hartman has strengthened and will allow Fisher’s Indianapolis based team to grow.
SFHR won their first race at Kentucky in 2011 with fellow American Ed Carpenter , but a bright moment was overshadowed by the departure of primary sponsor Dollar General to full-time NASCAR involvement, and later Carpenter’s formation of his own team. SFHR had their ace in the hole with Hartman.
Hartman, who owns a professional indoor soccer team and football teams in Kansas, will now be fully involved in the growth and development of the one car team piloted by Newgarden. Hartman, whose money is tied into oil, has deep pockets and according to sources, has pledged to take SFHR to the next step in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
SFHR has an engine contract in place, but has yet to announce it, is widely rumored to be partnering with Honda. SFHR should also have some exciting announcements in regards to their relocation of their new race shop. That announcement could happen at the start of the new year.
The hire of Newgarden will allow his sponsorship money from the Mazda Road to Indy to be applied to the 2012 season and will help off-set the costs of new equipment. Newgarden had five wins for SSM in 2011 in the Firestone Indy Lights series. Newgarden, 20, brings another American to the IZOD IndyCar Series, and is the immediate favorite to win Rookie of the year in 2012.
Continue to follow www.IndyCarGarage.com for updates on Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and complete coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series.
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