Fisher to contest full IndyCar Series schedule
"Sarah tested for the first time on a road course in an IndyCar (Series car) after the Homestead-Miami Open Test and really proved herself and her abilities," team co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. "She really impressed us, and because of this we are making a commitment to put all of our efforts behind her as the driver of the No. 5 car. We want to continue to develop her overall talents, which can only make us stronger as a team as we move forward."
The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on April 1 will be Fisher's first non-oval event in and IndyCar Series car. She is the first female in Indy car racing history to sit on a pole on an oval, and will compete in the season-opening XM Satellite Radio Indy 300 on March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to also be competing on the road courses," said Fisher, who completed her first road course test on Feb. 25. "My first test on a road course went extremely well and I learned so much. I've never had so much fun in my life; running on an IndyCar (Series) road course reminds me of my sprint car days.
"Karting is all road courses and a lot of the theories and techniques translate to the big cars. I've been working out and practicing on road courses in my shifter kart and at Skip Barber during the off-season."
The team will continue to look for sponsors for Fishers efforts, but didn't want to hold her back.
"We are in a great position with her car, where we have three-fourths of the budget covered with the primary signage still available on the car," team co-owner Robbie Buhl said. "We need to get $1.5 million to round out our budget, so someone is going to be getting the best deal in all of sports marketing for that. Sarah has worked harder than she ever has before, so we believe that she has earned this position."