Drivers Start Your Engines: Popular Racer Sarah Fisher Returns To The Track For Chili Bowl Nationals

Race car driver and IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher will compete in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals taking place January 13-17 at Tulsa's River Spirit Expo. The competition will be the first time Fisher has been behind the wheel since the 2010 Verizon IndyCar Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Though Fisher has had much success in her career, this will be her first time racing in the Chili Bowl. “Competing in the Chili Bowl has always been a bucket list item for me, and with the support of Wink I am able to fulfill another dream,” Fisher stated in a release. “By attending the event last year to cheer on my brother-in-law, Kyle O'Gara, I was able to experience the atmosphere and see how much fun it was. I wanted to be racing in it the next time I came back.”

Hartman Oil (owned by Wink Hartman) will be Fisher's main sponsor for the event. "The Chili Bowl is the very heartbeat of motorsports. Each year it brings the best drivers to a venue that is charged with excitement. I look forward to seeing Sarah back in the seat," said Hartman.

“You can only imagine my excitement! Thankful for the opportunity,” tweeted Fisher (about getting back on the track).

Fisher has been voted Most Popular Driver four times in two separate series, (NASCAR and IndyCar). She has also been named to Indy's Best & Brightest Leaders Under 40. Back in 2010, Fisher made her ninth start in the Indy 500, signifying the most starts for a woman in the history of the race.

Fisher began racing when she was just a child. At the age of five, her parents fitted her for her first quarter-midget race car.

As a kid, Fisher won her first championship titles.

1991: World Karting Association Grand National Championships

1993: Circleville Points Championship

1994: WKA Grand National Championship

She raced in quarter-midget cars and go-karts, until she was in her teens. In high school she competed in competitive events to prepare her for the IRL. After that, Fisher went on to make a big name for herself in the sport.

The racer has competed in dirt races before, but has never done so driving a midget. "I have raced on dirt in the World of Outlaws and the All Star Circuit of Champions, but being in a midget on dirt is a new experience for me, and I am very excited for the challenge," said Fisher.

Fisher's qualifying Chili Bowl race is set for the night of January 15. For the competition's list of event times or entry passes visit the Chili Bowl website.