Sarah Fisher has been waiting for the last 51 weeks for the 30th annual Chili Bowl to come around.
The former Verizon IndyCar Series driver and current CFH Racing co-owner competed in the annual indoor midget race for the first time in 2015. After finishing mid-pack in the more than 300-car field, she’s ready to go back and do even better 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 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.
Fisher will drive the No. 67SF sponsored by Hartman Oil, Russell Oil and CHS. Other drivers with INDYCAR ties competing in the Chili Bowl include two-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson, who won the event in 2014, and former CFH Racing crew chief Anton Julian.
“(Husband) Andy (O’Gara) 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 I to both compete at the Chili Bowl again this year,” Fisher said.
Practice for the Chili Bowl begins Jan. 11 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the River Spirit Expo Center. The 335 entries will compete during four days of qualifying, leading up to the A Feature on Jan. 16, featuring the top 24 drivers from the week. Starting positions in the A Feature are determined by points received during qualifications.
Fisher is scheduled to qualify during J.C.T. Qualifying Night on Jan. 14.
“Thankfully, Andy and Kyle worked overtime to take me back to (Tulsa) again because it is truly an experience that I’ve looked forward to all year. Just about everyone I talk to knows of the passion and enjoyment I have staying connected to the short-track roots I came from. This is just a small part of that personal commitment.”
