Chicagoland: Sarah Fisher Racing race report

RIGHT-REAR SHOCK FAILURE ENDS FISHERS DAY IN THE 24TH POSITION AT CHICAGOLAND

Lap 118 incident ends SFR's efforts at ChicagoLand Speedway

JOLIET, IL (Sep 07, 2008) Sarah Fisher Racing made their final start of the 2008 IndyCar Series season when disappointment struck on Lap 118 when Sarah Fisher's No. 67 Dollar General Stores Honda Dallara made contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4 due to a right-rear shock failure. The team fell from 16th place to 24th due to the incident.

"I messed up my left foot a little bit," said Fisher. "I'm just happy that the Dollar General people could come out and watch. We're just trying to go into the offseason trying to put together a program for next year and we're really thankful that everybody was able to be here."

Fisher began the race in the 18th position after Helio Castroneves was moved to the back of the field, which moved Fisher up one position from her qualifying effort of 19th. On Lap 5, Fisher radioed the team that they had "missed the gears big time" and had fallen to 21st. Poor pit stops plagued the small team with each stop loosing at least a position on the track-the team pitted three times. Fisher spent most of the race battling with Darren Manning, who ended up seventh. On Lap 118, Fisher made contact with the Turn 4 SAFER Barrier with the left side of the car. Her car slid to rest in the grass along the front stretch. Fisher was assisted from the car by the Delphi Safety Team while favoring her left leg prior to being taken to the medical center for evaluation. Her ankle was x-rayed but came back negative.

The team goes into the off-season with the plan of returning to the IndyCar Series in 2009 for their sophomore season. Races, plans and sponsors will be announced at a later date.

-credit: sfr