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Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Fisher recovering from crash
By Sarah Fisher
Special to ABC Sports Online
Editor's note: During the Nazareth Speedway race weekend, Sarah Fisher was injured in a single car incident during Saturday's final practice session as she exited Turn Two. The rear-end impact was significant, and she was held overnight in the Lehigh Valley Hospital for observation and additional evaluation. Diagnosed with a severe back contusion, she was discharged late in the afternoon on Sunday, and will undergo day-by-day evaluations regarding her return to the No. 23 GMAC/AOL car. She was in good spirits despite her frustration at being unable to compete last Sunday. Sarah hopes to be back in her race car as soon as possible, and thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers. "I'm definitely sore and walking pretty tenderly," said Fisher. "But the car did its job in terms of safety and protection, and we'll see what the doctors say as we continue to rehab."
Check out Sarah's latest mailbag ...
Q: It's really hot during IRL season. How do you keep cool while racing? And how do you like the Kansas speedway track compared to all the other tracks?
Lesley Harris -- Missouri
It's really the hottest in Kansas. Racing Indy Cars isn't as bad as a stock car might be with the engine in the front, because we get a consistently clean shot of air. Also, when you sweat, your body is really adapting to keep your body cool - that's true for everyone.
|  | | Fisher is recovering from her wreck. |
Q: What does next year look like? How do you think the Chevy engines will stack up? We live close to Commercial Point, and all the people we talk to there, speak glowingly of both you and your parents. Hopefully, we may get to meet you someday. Drive Hard!
Dave and Eva Cole -- Orient, Ohio
We have a lot of great ideas for next year, and we have a plan in place as to the steps we will take in the next few weeks to move forward and accomplish what we need to in order to win. Dreyer and Reinbold Racing has been really good to me and the team, and we have a lot to look forward to. The engines can only get better!
Q: I hope that your team finally gets the GEN IV Cosworth/Chevy engines. With your skill at driving the INDY cars ... you deserve the best possible.
George Treaster -- South Dayton, Florida
We're on the receiving end of that now, thank you for your support!
Q: Do you ever see a time in the future where Ford and Dodge may compete in IRL? Being an ex-NASCAR fan and having made the move to IRL, I think it would be great for the sport to have more power plants to root for. And it's really great to see you out their racing with the guys and doing well (pole at Richmond). When will your team get the new Chevy engine?
James T. Jones -- Evansville, Indiana
Our series is already much more competitive than it was only one year ago and it'll certainly grow in the future. I'm not sure if Ford and Dodge will compete, because nobody really knows who'll be the players in years to come. To answer your last question, we have the new Chevrolet Gen IV and it definitely makes a difference, but you have to have the whole package to back it up in performance.
Q: You are an excellent driver. Are you doing anything different this year than last year in your driving? Are you more relaxed with your team this year than last year?
Joseph -- Illinois
I know my team better, which allows us to communicate at a higher level. My driving style is the same for the most part, but there is always something new to learn as I go along.
Q: Although I am a long time NASCAR fan, I recently attended the IRL race at Kansas on July 5th. I was blown away by the speed and the skill of the drivers! My question is: How can the IRL continue to attract new audiences while competing with NASCAR? Free tickets? Driving experiences? At least one more fan came on board this year! Good luck!
Jeff Daggett -- Lenexa, KS
Thank you for your support! Instead of trying to compete, we focus on building the sport of the IRL as its own league and entertainment. The ideas that we are putting into place for next year will certainly bring more consumer awareness to what we are doing. This in return will allow us to sell more sponsors and raise the whole league's awareness. There are so many ideas on how to get consistent attention. We just have to do a good job selecting which ideas we need to put into play.
Q: Hi Sarah! I know you have been on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Regis & Kelly, and Good Morning America. You have been featured in People & Sports Illustrated. I was wondering how you get on shows and in magazines like these. Do they call you up and ask you to be on their show? Are you going to be on any big shows/magazines like you have been in the past any time soon?
Milt Phergo -- Indianapolis, Indiana
It's an honor to be on all of those shows. Creating these opportunities and appearance actually takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes. I have the story to tell, but we have to communicate that in the right way, to the right people. It is a lot of fun though and I hope to do more soon!
Q: With all the talk about sponsorship, is there anything we the fans can do to help your sponsorship? If so, what? Good Luck, hope to see you in the winner's circle soon.
Paul Abrams -- Indianapolis, Indiana
Sure! Sponsors are continually impressed by my fan base and the enthusiasm you bring to the table. Keep sending those letters and cheering hard at every race! You can also buy or use products from the sponsors I currently have (Chevy, AOL, Raybestos, SmartBlade, and others), or just keep supporting the team and watching races with your friends and family -- your enthusiasm shows through all the time!
For more from Sarah, go to www.sarahfisher.com.
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