Fisher leads food drive Guthrie to return to Firestone Indy Lights in 2009
1. Fisher leads food drive: Sarah Fisher Racing will kick off the 2008 holiday season with a “12 Days of Christmas Food Drive” to support the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in Indianapolis.
The SFR Race Shop, O'Gara's Irish Pub and Lamping Cleaners will serve as collection sites for non-perishable food donations from Dec. 1-12. Cash and food donations will also be accepted through the US Mail to the SFR race shop.
"I'm a big part of this community, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to put on a program which will enable the citizens of Indianapolis to join me and the team in helping feed the homeless and those in need," said team owner and driver Sarah Fisher. "We heard that St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry was low on inventory, and with this being our off-season what better time to donate some extra help to those in need. I'm a firm believer in being thankful for what I've been given and never taking for granted the opportunities I've been presented with. Our community came together in droves back in May during our time of need, and for that we are forever grateful. We know and appreciate the people of Indianapolis are committed to giving back regardless of the situation."
St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry feeds nearly 3,000 per week, with the winter months serving as their peak season.
"Everybody knows about the food shortages as of late, and we appreciate the willingness of Sarah Fisher Racing in helping join the fight to help alleviate some of the shortage," said Don Striegel, volunteer coordinator at St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. "With the help of SFR and the Indianapolis community, we won't have to turn away any clients or reduce the amount we are able to feed each week. We are honored with the support in helping us maintain a good variety of supply."
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2. Guthrie to return to Firestone Indy Lights in 2009: Firestone Indy Lights veteran Sean Guthrie will return in 2009 to drive for the team co-owned by his father, 1997 IndyCar Series rookie of the year Jim Guthrie.
The younger Guthrie, 20, debuted in Firestone Indy Lights after his 18th birthday in 2006 and has made 37 starts over the past three seasons, accumulating 13 top-10 finishes. Last season, he finished 10th in the championship with a career-high eight top-10s in 16 starts.
After competing for three seasons as Guthrie Racing, the team recently changed to Guthrie Meyer Racing with the addition of Butch Meyer as co-owner.
"I am very excited with the merger between my dad, Guthrie Racing and Butch Meyer,” Sean Guthrie said. “Guthrie Racing has been building a world class team since 2005 when we first entered the Star Mazda Pro Series. From that day forward, we have had big dreams and high expectations. We have been slowly fulfilling those expectations, but I think Butch will bring the rest of the needed ingredients to speed up that process. The cars and team will be completely new from what people have seen from Guthrie Racing in the past, and I am confident that Guthrie Meyer Racing will be the team to watch out for in 2009, and I am very happy that I am going to be a part of that."
“It’s really great to be able to work with my son, Sean,” Jim Guthrie said. “We have been racing together since he was 5 years old, and it’s something that is very special to me. Sean continues to mature as a race driver, and with Butch’s help this will be Sean’s best season ever.”
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The 2009 IndyCar Series season opens April 5 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The race will be telecast live at 2 p.m. (EDT) by VERSUS. The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season begins with a doubleheader race weekend April 4-5 at St. Petersburg.
