Edited by Len Ashburn / Ron Felix
Dollar General And SFHR Team Up For The Indy 500
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, April 24, 2012 - Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing proved it was a force to be reckoned with when the team won at Kentucky Speedway last fall with Dollar General onboard as a sponsor. The two will join forces again for one race in 2012 where the stakes will be higher– the Indianapolis 500.
“Dollar General is excited to once again partner with Sarah and her team for the Indy 500 in the96thrunning of this iconic race,” said Rick Dreiling, CEO of Dollar General. “We look forward to having Dollar General represented in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
With its win at Kentucky Speedway in October 2011, SFHR was the last IZOD IndyCar series team to win on an oval. The team is eager to return to its home track with Dollar General.
“I am honored to welcome Dollar General back to our team for the Indianapolis 500,” said Sarah Fisher, owner of SFHR. “The privilege we have to continue the relationship with a company that stood behind us during the tough times at the start of our team means a great deal to me. This opportunity is a direct result of the fantastic relationships SFHR maintains with its partners.”
With only 21 full-time employees, SFHR is a small team staking out a name for itself amongst the heavyweight teams of the IZOD IndyCar series. In the first three races of the year the team has been consistently quick on track and shown that it can do more with less.
In only his third start with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, driver Josef Newgarden started on the outside of the front row for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Newgarden is eager to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he won the 2011 Freedom 100 in Firestone Indy Lights.
“Indianapolis is such a challenge,” Newgarden said. “You can go around that track 200 times and learn something new about your car or yourself as a driver on each lap.”
Newgarden should feel right at home in a Dollar General car as his hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn. is a neighboring suburb to Goodlettsville, Tenn., where Dollar General’s headquarters are located.
For the month of May, the No. 67 car driven by Josef Newgarden will feature a livery with the familiar black and yellow Dollar General colors that Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing fans are used to seeing.
“It will be exciting for our fans to once again see the black and yellow No. 67 attempt to bring home a victory at the Indy 500,” said Sarah Fisher.
Goodlettsville, Tennessee based Dollar General Corporation is the nation’s largest small-box discount retailer. Dollar General makes everyday needs simpler and hassle-free by offering a carefully edited assortment of the most popular brands at low everyday prices in small, convenient locations. Visitwww.dollargeneral.com for more information.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) was established in 2008 and is owned by former driver Sarah Fisher, the youngest woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the first woman to run a full IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, and businessman Wink Hartman. SFHR has competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series since 2008, earning its first victory in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway.
EXCITEMENT EVERYWHERE FOR FANS AT 96TH INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, April 23, 2012 - The 96th Indianapolis 500 offers 12 days of exciting on-track action featuring the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, and two special days of fan-friendly activities during the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Opening Day is Saturday, May 12. Pole Day is Saturday, May 19, followed by Bump Day, Sunday, May 20. Miller Lite Carb Day is Friday, May 25, and the 96th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at noon (ET) Sunday, May 27.
Public gates for practice May 12-18 will open at 10 a.m., an hour later than recent years. Public gates on Race Day will open at 5:33 a.m. Sunday, May 27, paying tribute to the traditional 33 cars in the starting lineup.Tickets for all days of activity are available at www.imstix.com or by calling (800) 822-INDY.
Fans can enjoy plenty of on-track action featuring the new 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car and competition among engine manufacturers Chevrolet, Honda and Lotus on Opening Day. All of the top stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series will be on track, including three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, two-time "500" winner Dario Franchitti and IZOD IndyCar Series points leader Will Power.
The Celebration of Automobiles also will take place on Opening Day, Saturday, May 12 at IMS, with nearly 200 beautiful, rare vehicles competing for awards - including the Road & Track Trophy -- in the Vintage and Historic Car Show. An Emerging Tech Showcase has been integrated into the Celebration of Automobiles this year. A new addition is an Automobile Festival featuring hundreds of current and late model vehicles on display in manufacturer-and model-specific groups inside the infield of the IMS oval.
Drama and excitement will build during daily practice Sunday, May 13 through Thursday, May 17. Teams and drivers will aim for top speed on Fast Friday, May 18, the last day to hone setups before qualifications.
One of the most dramatic days in worldwide motorsports will take place Saturday, May 19 on Pole Day. The first 24 spots in the starting field will be determined in the exciting two-session format, with nine drivers making a run for the pole in the thrilling Fast Nine Shootout from 4:30-6 p.m.
Qualifications will conclude Sunday, May 20 with the pressure and drama of Bump Day, as drivers will try to find the speed to earn one of the final nine spots in the starting field for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Activity resumes Wednesday, May 23 with 500 Festival Community Day, featuring an autograph session with the Indianapolis 500 starting field and other fan-friendly activities.
Cars are back on track Thursday, May 24 for practice and qualifying for the Firestone Freedom 100, the marquee event for Firestone Indy Lights.
A fantastic mix of on-track action and off-track fun awaits fans on Miller Lite Carb Day, Friday, May 25. The final Indianapolis 500 practice, Firestone Freedom 100 race and Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge will provide competitive thrills, while legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will close the day by headlining the Miller Lite Carb Day concert.
Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell V-Power on Saturday, May 26 will honor Indianapolis 500 legends while building anticipation for Race Day.
Vintage cars will turn laps on the IMS oval and the Indianapolis 500 starting field will sign autographs before the Public Drivers' Meeting. Legendary Indianapolis 500 team owner Roger Penske will participate in a question-and-answer session with fans shortly before numerous Indianapolis 500 veterans will sign autographs.
The largest Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show in the world also will take place all day on Legends Day Honoring Roger Penske Presented by Shell V-Power.
Tradition and pageantry again will take center stage during pre-race ceremonies on Race Day, Sunday, May 27, before the field of 33 starters gets the green flag at noon.
One of the best parties of the year also will take place on Race Day in the Snake Pit, located inside Turn 3 in the massive IMS infield. Music starts at 8 a.m., with headlining performances by world-renowned electro DJ and producer Benny Benassi and Chicago-based electro group Krewella.
The Snake Pit will be open on Race Day from 7 a.m. until the checkered flag ending the race. Any fan with a Race Day ticket and free Snake Pit wristband will be admitted.
96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 SCHEDULE
(All times local, subject to change)
Thursday, May 10 ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM - Free (Only public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Practice
Friday, May 11 FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 TESTING - Free (Only public access is South Terrace grandstands adjacent to Gate 2 entrance)
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Practice
Saturday, May 12 OPENING DAY/CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOBILES - $10 admission; 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles (Vintage and Historic Car Show, Emerging Tech Showcase, Automobile Festival)
10:30-10:50 a.m., Q&A Session about 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series car, Coca-Cola Stage
Noon-6 p.m., Practice
12:15 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Awards, Coca-Cola Stage
6 p.m., Celebration of Automobiles Dinner
Sunday, May 13 PRACTICE - $10 admission; 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with Beaux Barfield, Coca-Cola Stage
Noon-6 p.m., Practice
Monday, May 14- PRACTICE - $10 admission; 12 and under free
Thursday, May 17 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open Noon-6 p.m., Practice
Friday, May 18 FAST FRIDAY - $10 admission, 12 and under free
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Owner/Driver/Sponsor Panel, Coca-Cola Stage Noon-6 p.m., Practice
6:15 p.m., Pole Day Qualifications Draw, Coca-Cola Stage
Saturday, May 19 POLE DAY - $15 admission, 12 and under free
6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8-10 a.m., Practice
10-10:30 a.m., Q&A with Past Pole Winners, Coca-Cola Stage
10:15 a.m., American Dairy Association Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza 11 a.m.-4 p.m., First Qualifying Segment
4 p.m., Ceremonial Lap Honoring 50th Anniversary of Parnelli Jones' 150-mph Lap
4:30-6 p.m., Fast Nine Pole Qualifying
6 p.m., Pole Award Presentation, Yard of Bricks
6:15 p.m., Live Music by Here Come The Mummies, Coca-Cola Stage
Sunday, May 20 BUMP DAY/IMS ARMED FORCES DAY - $15 admission, 12 and under free
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Military Vehicle Display, Pagoda Plaza, MotoGP Course Turns 7 and 9 - 10-11 a.m., Practice
11:15-11:40 a.m., Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony, Yard of Bricks
11:15-11:45 a.m., Q&A with Bump Day Drivers, Coca-Cola Stage Noon-6 p.m., Qualifying
Monday, May 21 - NO TRACK ACTIVITY
Tuesday, May 22 - ??????????
Wednesday, May 23 AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 500 FESTIVAL COMMUNITY DAY (No track activity) ($8 advance/$10 gate, 6 and under free)
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
11 a.m., 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
12:30-1:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
1:30-2:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
2-3 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
3-4 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
3:30-4:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36
4:30-5:30 p.m., Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion 1C/1D
Thursday, May 24 FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING - Free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
9 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Practice
1:15-2:15 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
2:30-4 p.m., Vintage Car Laps
Friday, May 25 MILLER LITE CARB DAY - $20 admission, 12 and under free
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
10:30-11 a.m., Q&A with IndyCar Crew Members, Coca-Cola Stage
10:45 a.m., Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza
11 a.m.-noon, Indianapolis 500 Final Practice
12:30 p.m., Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps)
1:35 p.m., Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge
3:30 p.m., Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, May 26 LEGENDS DAY HONORING ROGER PENSKE PRESENTED BY SHELL V-POWER ($10 admission; 12 and under free)
8 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
8:45-9 a.m., Chase Rookie of the Year Candidates Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage
9-10 a.m., 2011 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Plaza Pavilion 1A/1B
9:30-10:20 a.m., Vintage Car Laps
10:30-11 a.m., Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace
11-11:30 a.m., Q&A with Roger Penske, Coca-Cola Stage
1-4 p.m., Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
Sunday, May 27 96TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY - Tickets start at $30
5:33 a.m.-6 p.m., Public Gates Open
7 a.m., Snake Pit Opens
8:30 a.m., Parade of Bands
9:30 a.m., 500 Festival Princesses Lap
11 a.m., Vintage Car Lap
11:10 a.m., Military Tribute Lap
11:30 a.m., Driver Introductions
Noon, Start of 96th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
