Fisher eager for Chili Bowl return

Sarah Fisher

Sarah Fisher has been waiting the last 51 weeks for the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals to come around.

The former Verizon IndyCar Series driver and current CFH Racing co-owner competed in the annual indoor midget race at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Raceway inside the River Spirit Expo Center for the first time in 2015. After finishing mid-pack among a field of more than 300 cars, she's ready to go back this week with a year's experience.

"Last year I was able to cross the Chili Bowl off my bucket list," said Fisher, who hadn't raced competitively before the 2015 Chili Bowl since competing in the 2010 Verizon IndyCar Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"The electric atmosphere and high levels of competition that it brings wasn't something I could pass up this year. Last year was my first experience with midgets on dirt and it was a challenge. I'm really looking forward to this challenge again."

Fisher will again team with her brother-in-law, Indy Lights veteran Kyle O'Gara, in a two-car effort run under the Sarah Fisher Racing Development banner.

"Andy (O'Gara, Fisher's husband) and I really enjoy working with Kyle on his short-track efforts through SFH Racing Development, and it's going to be a lot of fun for him and me to both compete at the Chili Bowl again this year," Fisher said.

Fisher will drive the No. 67SF sponsored by Hartman Oil, Russell Oil and CHS. She is scheduled to qualify during J.C.T. Qualifying Night on Jan. 14.

Another driver with INDYCAR ties competing in the 30th Chili Bowl is two-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson, who won the event in 2014. Clauson helped kick off the first day of competition Jan. 12 by finishing fourth in the Vacuworx International Race of Champions, a one-off event featuring many of the top names competing this week.

The 335 entries this year will compete during four days of qualifying heat races, leading up to the A Main Feature on Jan. 16 with the top 24 drivers from the week. Starting positions in the A Feature are determined by points earned during qualifications.