Thursday, May 8, 2008 - For the first time since 2006, rain forced the cancellation of a second consecutive day of on-track activity at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The lack of track time adds to the drama and tension as teams prepare for qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.
A key moment in the month-long pursuit to become the Indianapolis 500 champion comes May 10 when drivers compete for the top 11 starting positions for the 92nd running of the 500-Mile Race, including the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award presented by AutoZone and it's $100,000 prize.
But, for the 11 drivers who don't qualify on Pole Day, there's still hope. Three times in the last 10 years, the winner has come from outside the top 11 spots.
Eddie Cheever Jr. drove to Victory Lane from the 17th starting position in 1998. Helio Castroneves won from 13th in 2002, and Dan Wheldon started 16th when he won in 2005.
New associate sponsor for Sarah Fisher Racing
Sarah Fisher Racing announced that Milwaukee-based Direct Supply, Inc., the nation's leading supplier of equipment and e-commerce solutions to long-term healthcare communities, will sponsor the No. 67 Honda-powered Dallara driven by IndyCar Series veteran Sarah Fisher in the Indianapolis 500.
Direct Supply, which returns as a sponsor at the Indianapolis 500 for the third time, is new to SFR and Fisher, 27, of Commercial Point, Ohio. 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.