Sarah Fisher has lost her primary Indy 500 sponsor

UPDATE Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) today announced that Milwaukee based Direct Supply, Inc., the nation’s leading supplier of equipment and ecommerce solutions to long-term healthcare communities, will sponsor the No. 67 Honda powered Dallara driven by IndyCar Series veteran Sarah Fisher in the upcoming Indianapolis 500.

“I’m honored to have Direct Supply’s support of our team," said Fisher, who will attempt to qualify for her seventh Indianapolis 500 this weekend. “Working with Bob Hillis and the entire group at Direct Supply has been great thus far and we look forward to helping grow their business."

Direct Supply, who returns as a sponsor at the Indianapolis 500 for the third time, is new to SFR and Fisher, 27, of Commercial Point, Ohio. Showcasing years of dedication to the sport, Fisher, who became the first female to start from the pole position in an IndyCar Series race, mirrors Direct Supply’s corporate values in commitment, success and drive. Direct Supply is proud to sponsor Fisher as the first female owner/driver in IndyCar Series history.

05/08/08 Sarah Fisher's face briefly lit up as her iPhone buzzed to life on a table inside her motor home Wednesday.

The glow faded when the incoming phone number popped up on the screen.

"That'd have been nice if that was the check clearing, but it's not," she said with a smile.

Perhaps Fisher could joke because it's not the first time she has been put on hold by a sponsor. After several seasons in which a lack of funding sidelined her as a driver, she now is dealing with the predicament as a driver-owner.

Since forming Sarah Fisher Racing in February, the fastest woman to qualify at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (a 229.439-mph average in 2002) has struggled to kick the fledgling Indy Racing League team into gear financially.

An energy drink company was signed as a primary sponsor for the Indianapolis 500 and races at Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway, but Fisher said a deadline passed last week without payment.

When she made 16 laps on the opening day of practice Tuesday, the sidepods of her No. 67 Dallara-Honda were lacking for logos.

"It's a very stressful situation," she said. "My attorney has been talking to them, and it's a friendly conversation right now. I don't have anything against them, but pay your bills.

"They're saying, 'Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.' There comes a certain point of, 'Is it going to be tomorrow or not, guys?' There's nothing dishonest, and they're good people. We just have to figure out a resolution." More at USA Today